Takanini Sikh Gurdwara :NZ Supreme Sikh Society Volunteers Step Up to Help during Pandemic

            Essential services - Sikh temple volunteers step up

Each Wednesday and Sunday, the Takanini Sikh Gurdwara sees hundreds of cars driving into its gates to pick up free food bags. 

Volunteers line up, open the boots and load up bottles of milk, bags of fresh veg and fruit and even ice-cream on some days. It's one large, seamless and contactless operation.

What started in Level 4 lockdown in March as an act of charity synonymous with the Sikh faith has carried on and now includes mobilizing members of the wider community.

Behind this mammoth effort are two teams of volunteers from beyond just the Sikh community - from Samoan to Cook Island Maori who join others to form a massive packing line to help fill food bags worth around $20 to $30 each. 

Distributing free food to the needy is fundamental to the Sikh religion. Daljit Singh, spokesperson of the NZ Supreme Sikh Society says this is for everyone - you can't turn anyone away based on their race, beliefs or religion." 

The New Zealand Supreme Sikh Society is made of different Gurdwaras or temples, across the country.  During crisis and times of need, resources are immediately pooled together for humanitarian help across New Zealand or even globally. 

Each food bag comprises food for a family of four for a period of two to three days. Each day of food distribution anything between 1500 and 2200 bags are given out, effectively feeding nearly 10,000 people. 

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/voices/audio/2018762645/essential-services-sikh-temple-volunteers-step-up

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi