Sharing compassion through food

As a new mum, carer for ill family member, or someone who is just going through hardship, it’s things like preparing meals that can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

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Bellyful is a charity that nourishes and connects communities by cooking and delivering free meals to whānau with babies or young children, who need support.

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Volunteers from all walks of life gather at a community kitchen, where they pour their love and culinary expertise into preparing dishes like macaroni cheese, beef bolognese sauce, beef lasagne, tomato and red lentil soup, and a mild vegetarian curry. These aren't just meals; they're a lifesaver for some families.

To help Bellyful feed the community, The Meat Box and their generous customers have paid-forward $500 Worth of mince for their cookathons. This has allowed Bellyful to provide the meat to six branches, helping to make a total of 110 meals for local whānau who need support.

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For the volunteers at Bellyful, this act of generosity was more than just a donation; it was a heartwarming surprise that put smiles on their faces. Sally Warrender, the Coordinator of the Bellyful Franklin Branch, exclaimed, "The donated mince was such a lovely surprise for our branch and really made our volunteer cooking team smile. The quality of the mince was top-notch, and having it gifted saved us on our Cookathon costs at a time when we are facing rising ingredient costs. We are so grateful for this support – it is so nice to feel like we have a village behind us and we are not trying to fill bellies all alone."

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This beautiful collaboration between The Meat Box and Bellyful exemplifies the power of local businesses and charitable organisations coming together to create a positive impact in their community. 

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It's a testament to the kindness and empathy that lie at the heart of New Zealand, reminding us all that we're not alone in our struggles and that, together, we can provide solace, comfort, and nourishment to those who need it most.

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To play a part in stories like this one, just add a small pay-it-forward to your cart when purchasing your meat from The Meat Box, or when shopping at one of our other generous business partners.