August 2017: Healthy Families Rotorua has collaborated with the Ka Pai Kai Charitable Trust and Waikite Rugby Club to deliver this initiative to local primary schools and Wharekura within the Rotorua district
The recent generosity of local business Hikoi Productions and The Glass Guys were standout examples of much-needed assistance coming at a crucial time.
Hikoi Productions donated a commercial size fridge but disaster soon struck when the glass door smashed when moving it to their kitchen.
“We didn't know how we were going to raise the funds to repair it and were feeling pretty deflated, when The Glass Guys came to our rescue,” Ka Pai Kai co-ordinator, Jasmin Jackson says.
Owners of The Glass Guys, Gary and Jenna Donovan-Dickson said at the time it was “because of the work that [Ka Pai Kai Rotorua] do for the community and schools, and you are a charity organisation, we are happy to supply and install this free of charge for you.”
Settings Manager for Healthy Families Rotorua, Pollyanne Taare says "we were blown away by the company’s generosity".
“These are the beautiful humans in our community who support our kaupapa and love our children. Thank you to the Glass Guys,” Jasmin says.
Ka Pai Kai is delivering daily lunches to four schools, Whakarewarewa School, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hurungaterangi, Rotorua Primary School and Te Wharekura o Ngāti Rongomai.
EmployNZ have provided catering students as volunteers and Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology chefs supporting. Te Arawa Fisheries has also provided corporate sponsorship.