Employee Volunteering at Vege Coop

It would seem Telecom is expanding its skills base into packing fruit and vegetables, all to support the Cathedral’s “Healthy Eating Programme.” Each Wednesday morning a group of Telecom employees comes to St Aidan’s Church in Bryndwr to join Cathedral volunteers packing fruit and vegetables into bags ready for distribution to families mainly in the east and south of the city.
Cathedral volunteers do a great job each week but, with demand for the fruit and vegetables increasing quite rapidly, some extra help was needed. They now have Telecom helpers alongside and, for the month of May, staff from The George Hotel, who were out of their building and prepared to give some time. These employee volunteers – willing and friendly – make the work easier.

Trisha Ockwell from Volunteering Canterbury is the link between the Cathedral and the employee volunteers and sees to the recruiting and co-ordination, while the Cathedral provides the  training, plenty of encouragement and usually home baking for morning tea! The Cathedral is delighted to have this support from Telecom and The George Hotel volunteers. Out of all the hours
in their working week, the time spent as volunteers at the Fruit and Vegetable Coop appears to rate highly with them. We enjoy their energy and company and are thankful for their support.
Two new tandem axle trailers now support the Cathedral’s Healthy Eating Project. Pictured below with the trailer funded through a generous donation by the Riccarton / Waimairi Lion’s Club are
Rev Brian Thomas, passionate weekly volunteer worker for the Coop, and staff from the Shirley pick up hub - Te Puna Oraka. The second trailer was funded through a donation by Westpac bank - New Brighton Branch.

Nicky Lee