How is the Takanini Gurudwara meeting a need in their local community?

We serve humanity, regardless of ethnicity, religion or gender.

This is the message that brought over 500 volunteers together to partake in one of South Auckland’s largest food distribution initiatives. The Takanini Gurudwara also known as the Takanini Sikh temple has been actively coordinating the distribution of over 2,100 food parcels since the recent COVID-19 resurgence lockdown, which saw Auckland moved to lockdown Level 3. Their cohesive effort has demonstrated the generosity of local community members and businesses who are continuing to donate their time and efforts towards this mahi. As a result of the resurgence, food insecurity is one of the growing concerns for low income families due to a high number of job losses in South Auckland. For many, food banks and community centres are their only hope to ensure their families are fed.

The donors and volunteers at Takanini Gurudwara have been able to provide over 100,000 food bags since the first lockdown, including 2,000 blankets to people in need. Each bag contains food items including fresh milk, bread, fruits and vegetables to last a family for 3-4 days along with free facemasks. To ensure the wider community are able to benefit from this initiative; a number of agencies including local social service providers, the Police, community centres, churches and marae are working alongside the Takanini Gurudwara to ensure parcels are distributed and delivered to people with limited access.

Being one of the prominent hubs in Takanini, the Gurudwara is operating as an essential service provider and coordinates this distribution twice a week. Their leadership team had a plan in place and were able to respond rapidly to the high food demand whilst adhering to the required hygiene measures. The carefully coordinated plan was successfully executed through collaboration with volunteers, local agencies and whanau in the area.

Prior to the lockdown; Auckland Advisors, Wasantha Marasinghe and Lesh Dhesi met the team who made this happen. With community wellbeing at the heart of their mahi, the organisers of the drive through foodbank believe that no one should go to bed hungry and to accomplish this; anyone who wants to volunteer or is in need is always welcome at The Takanini Gurudwara in South Auckland.