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Slow but safe is the word for the foodbank still operating at Ngā Whare Waatea Marae in Mangere.
Manukau Urban Māori Authority chief executive Wyn Osborne says the rapid shift from alert level two to four caught the foodbank on the hop, but it quickly developed the processes needed to look after the health and wellbeing of both workers and whānau.
Kaimahi are doing one week on and two weeks back in their own homes where they can fill other roles such as delivering MUMA’s Whānau Direct service virtually.
People have to resist the tendency to get close.
"You’re moving parcels around, parcels of food and parcels of canned food, you really do have to stay very aware because the tendency is to lean and grab hold of a corner to help someone. To slow down the mahi and balance that with good physical distancing just takes a change of mindset," Mr Osborne says.
The foodbank distributes about 40 parcels a day, with whānau made to wait outside in their cars.
The kaimahi are also working on putting together 1000 home care packs for the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency distribution network.
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