Daljit Singh executive , of the Sikh Supreme Society, told that the demand for food bags being distributed at the Takanini Sikh Temple had increased noticeably.
Demand for food parcels has soared during the current level three lockdown in Auckland.All throughout the lockdowns across the country, the Sikh community - through the Takanini Gurudwara (Sikh temple) and other gurudwaras - has distributed more than 100,000 food bags for the needy, in addition to the cooked meals every day.
Packers at Takanini Gurudwara get ready to supply food
parcels and free masks to members of the community.
"In the last lockdown, we distributed a maximum 1000
to 1500 food parcels in a day during lockdown in the two-hour distribution
period," Singh said.
"But yesterday (Sunday 23rd August) we
served 2000 to 2100 people after extending the distribution circle to
around three hours."
Supreme Sikh Society New Zealand executive and Sikh
community leader Daljit Singh.
Singh and his team will again be distributing food bags from the gurudwara tomorrow, August 26. He said while demand had increased tremendously, so had the generosity of donors.
"The people just kept coming, a lot of the national
media people present there could not believe it, saying that sitting in their
offices they never realised that people could queue for two kilometres for
food in New Zealand.
"It's a huge demand now."
Food bags and masks will be distributed on Wednesday,
August 26.
Singh said their commitment to serve the community was driven by the basic rules of their religion.
"Our basic rules are that we do not ask for anyone's
race, gender or need, in the gurudwara (Sikh temple) we know that whoever
comes to us, should not go back empty-handed.
"If someone stands in the queue for two hours for a
food bag worth around $32-$30, surely they must be in genuine need of the
supplies," Singh said.
Milk supplies ready for distribution.
The food bag contains two litres milk, bread, fruits and
vegetables - enough to feed a family for at least three days. The fruit and
vege component has 10 of each item, be it potatoes, onions, tomatoes, fruit,
and one or two cucumbers.
"There is a demand, but there are donors there as
well. People come and help in all forms - physical help and also in the form of
donations."
Food bags ready for distribution.
Singh said the work of the Gurudwara was not limited to
the Sikh community, but members of all communities have been involved in the
distribution.
"Even those who need food but cannot come to us can
contact us on this number as well, no one should go to bed on an empty
stomach."
Singh said their distribution procedure was fairly easy -
entry through gate one, we tell people to remain in their cars and open
the boot of their cars, and we put the food bag there, and they are then told
to exit through other gates."
Food stocks at
Takanini Gurudwara ready for distribution.
Singh said the government had offered help, "but we
politely turned it down as we wanted to keep it community-based".
