Community Minded

John and Jackie Paine (pictured) have spearheaded many amazing community projects. Now, as founders of the Linkt Community Trust (and in collaboration with Ōtūmoetai Baptist Church), they’ve partnered with Foodstuffs to open Ōtūmoetai’s Social Supermarket.  The idea is that people who are financially squeezed can pay a nominal amount, then shop with points (allotted on family size) in the supermarket-style environment. Jackie explains it’s not about cases of chronic need, which are serviced elsewhere, rather about “people at the top of the cliff” who need help for a certain period. The subsidised food allows people to re-direct funds into, say, fees for kids’ sports, tutors or school trips. Anyone can donate fresh produce and volunteer time. “The model is more pot luck than soup kitchen,” says Jackie. “It’s about everyone being in this together.” Local New World and Pak’nSave branches are supporting the store.

8 Claremont Tce, Ōtūmoetai
Email: office@oss.org.nz