Every parent knows that raising little ones isn’t always easy, especially when life throws extra challenges your way. Many families face additional stresses, such as illness, disability, bereavement, stress and isolation.
Nationwide charity Bellyful serves up support to whānau with babies or children under 12 experiencing difficult times by delivering delicious, home-cooked meals.
‘Our help is aimed at families who don’t have the support of nearby whānau or friends,’ explains Tracy Cox, Branch Coordinator for Bellyful West Auckland. ‘A few nutritious, ready-to-eat meals, dropped off by a caring volunteer, can make a world of difference,’ And it’s not just the families that stand to benefit. ‘Our volunteers also gain so much by being part of something meaningful. They build friendships and stronger community ties,’ advises Tracy.
‘The long-term impact of Bellyful’s service is that it builds the resilience of families and fosters a real sense of community.’ The numbers tell the story. In 2024, Bellyful West Auckland cooked and delivered 2,503 meals to 330 whānau in need. The dedicated team also provided 264 free meals to families with babies receiving care at Waitakere Hospital’s special baby care unit. ‘Having a tasty, healthy frozen meal available at such a stressful time makes an enormous difference,’ Tracy adds.
Bellyful’s menu is filled with family favourites like beef lasagne, pasta with Bolognese sauce, macaroni cheese and red lentil and tomato soup. The recently added mild vegetable curry is dairy- and gluten-free, yet still packs a flavour punch, making it a real crowd-pleaser.
Meals are prepared during monthly cookathons, where volunteers gather to prepare kai that’s stored in freezers, ready for delivery when a referral is received. Referrals come from local support agencies, such as Plunket, midwives, and healthcare providers. However, families can also self-refer or nominate a family member or a friend by completing a simple online form. As a registered charity, Bellyful relies on the generosity of funders, donations, and fundraising efforts.
A recent $10,000 grant from the Your West Support Fund is helping cover meal ingredients and operational costs. ‘On average, it costs Bellyful around $20 to produce and deliver a family-sized meal,’ Tracy explains. She adds, ‘We’re extremely grateful for this generous funding, which means that we can provide an extra 500 meals to whānau in need of support.’
Now, more West Aucklanders with babies and young children can feel supported, cared for and connected to their community. Do you have a few hours to spare? Bellyful West Auckland is always keen to welcome new volunteers. From helping out at a cookathon to delivering delicious kai, volunteering at Bellyful is a worthwhile and rewarding experience.
Every contribution makes a difference, so check out the website for more information.
