February 16, 2022
Outreach services in demand as Omicron spreads
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The Manukau Urban Māori Authority is reporting spikes in programmes supporting those who have tested positive for Covid and their close contacts.
Puhihuia Wade, MUMA’s Essential Service Manager, says demand on the Ngā Whare Waatea Foodbank is up and there’s a huge spike in demand for outreach services.
“Every day we are seeing an average of 10 whānau making contact with us through our foodbank contact centre and through other avenues like Whānau Ora and MSD,” she says.
She says rising food prices are affecting not only whānau on benefits but on workers struggling to get by on the minimum wage.