OUR WHAKAPAPA
Reverend Jonathon Boyes - Porirua Vicar 1981-1986
St Anne’s Pantry was founded in 1984 when Bill Summers who worked in the Registry at Victoria University and as a marriage celebrant, approached the Porirua Anglican Vicar the Reverend Jonathon Boyes (pictured in 2020) suggesting the Lord had told him to donate food for the people of Porirua. Bill and his wife Marjorie were members of the Khandallah Presbyterian Church. Jonathon’s first response was to form the Porirua Anglican Co-operative Trust (PACT). Pat Higham assisted with administration and Jean Stratford was involved from the beginning using her practical skills. A garden was started where the unemployed could grow food.
In 1985 20 families were receiving food parcels in the Ranui area and churches from Otaki to Khandallah quickly caught the vision and were supportive providing food and financial donations. Jonathan remembers pumpkins and cabbages came from Otaki and 5 cords of wood were dropped off at the Vicarage in Cannons Creek and wheelbarrowed to many destinations.
Jonathon’s ministry at Porirua ended Christmas 1986 and the Pantry continued under the new Vicar Michael Watson. In 1989 PACT was re-titled St Anne’s Pantry with Jean Stratford continuing as Facilitator until her death in 2005. During Jean's watch the volume of requests fluctuated but there was no sign of them abating. During 2001, 3,000 people received food through 800 parcels - an average of 16 per week.
In 1985 20 families were receiving food parcels in the Ranui area and churches from Otaki to Khandallah quickly caught the vision and were supportive providing food and financial donations. Jonathan remembers pumpkins and cabbages came from Otaki and 5 cords of wood were dropped off at the Vicarage in Cannons Creek and wheelbarrowed to many destinations.
Jonathon’s ministry at Porirua ended Christmas 1986 and the Pantry continued under the new Vicar Michael Watson. In 1989 PACT was re-titled St Anne’s Pantry with Jean Stratford continuing as Facilitator until her death in 2005. During Jean's watch the volume of requests fluctuated but there was no sign of them abating. During 2001, 3,000 people received food through 800 parcels - an average of 16 per week.
Khandallah Presbyterian Church - the Village Church
From 2005 the Pantry has continued with the facilitation of various people including vicar Esme Collins, Diane Stuart (with husband Bob) and Val Grace who retired in 2019. In 2020 Sofia Ali and Margaret Alve lead the Pantry operation. The Pantry continued to receive referrals from Porirua Citizens Advice Bureau and increasingly food donations from Kiwi Community Assistance. At this time an innovation was allowing food parcel requests via a Parish website form. This also increased awareness and accessibility for people who are needful of food support. During 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic, requests for Pantry food parcels increased significantly.
In 2022 St Anne's parishioner Jane Dagger became the Pantry facilitator and Fiona Bell, from Whitby Anglican Parish, became part-time paid administrator. At the beginning of 2022 a parish centre at 49A Mungavin Ave., Ranui was commissioned as Te Whare Karakia and the Pantry began to operate from there, continuing to deliver food parcels.
While the COVID-19 pandemic effects lessened as 2022 progressed, the associated financial downturn particularly affected Porirua households meaning high numbers of food parcels continued to be requested and delivered. By the end of September 2022 food parcels delivered totaled 1158. During the same period in 2021 a total of 931 deliveries were made and in 2020 the total for this period was 675 .
The Khandallah Presbyterian Church (among many others) continues to support the Pantry as it did in the beginning back in 1984.
In 2022 St Anne's parishioner Jane Dagger became the Pantry facilitator and Fiona Bell, from Whitby Anglican Parish, became part-time paid administrator. At the beginning of 2022 a parish centre at 49A Mungavin Ave., Ranui was commissioned as Te Whare Karakia and the Pantry began to operate from there, continuing to deliver food parcels.
While the COVID-19 pandemic effects lessened as 2022 progressed, the associated financial downturn particularly affected Porirua households meaning high numbers of food parcels continued to be requested and delivered. By the end of September 2022 food parcels delivered totaled 1158. During the same period in 2021 a total of 931 deliveries were made and in 2020 the total for this period was 675 .
The Khandallah Presbyterian Church (among many others) continues to support the Pantry as it did in the beginning back in 1984.