Charity seeks donations as demand for help soars
Farmer-led charity, Meat the Need is calling for donations to enable it to supply more meals to families in need.
The telethon, backed by Federated Farmers, is an event which calls on farmers and growers to donate one million meals worth of the nutritious food they produce to food banks during the event.
The Big Feed will be livestreamed via social media on Thursday 15 December from 6am until 7.30pm.
During the telethon farmers and growers can pledge to donate livestock, milk and other produce.
Federated Farmers national president Andrew Hoggard says his organisation supports the idea that no one should have to go without food in New Zealand.
“Farmers are used to looking out for their neighbours. We’re all one wider rural community at the end of the day so supporting this event is a no-brainer for Feds,” says Hoggard.
The telethon will be hosted by Federated Farmers vice president Wayne Langford alongside TV personality and wellbeing advocate Matt Chisholm as they cross live to over 100 farms, businesses and food banks across New Zealand.
“We farmers grapple with problems and challenges that seldom, if ever, trouble our fellow urban Kiwis but putting nutritious food on the table isn’t usually one of them,” Langford says.
“Sadly, the same can’t be said for some families in our towns and cities – especially around Christmas time.”
To find out more visit www.meattheneed.org. Anyone who wishes to support The Big Feed can donate $3 by texting FEED to 206.
