For the past five years, Mary-Pat has been a dedicated volunteer with Bellyful Christchurch, bringing both compassion and practical support to families with newborns and young children. “I knew how hard it can be to juggle everything when your children are newborn and little, especially if you don’t have any family around to help,” she explains. “Getting meals takes time and when everyone is tired at the end of the day, to have a prepared meal to put on the table is a godsend.”
As a Recipient Coordinator, Mary-Pat plays a central role in ensuring families receive the support they need. “I receive all the referrals Bellyful Christchurch receives and forward them on to other Recipient Coordinators to deal with. We contact the family which has been referred and have a chat to understand their circumstances. We then ask one of our deliverers who may live in the same location as the family to deliver our frozen prepared meals to the family.” Alongside this, she rolls up her sleeves at monthly cookathons, where the team prepares around 300 meals at a time.
The mahi is rewarding on many levels. “I enjoy being busy and it is satisfying helping families who may be struggling. The monthly cookathons are fun as well. I have made a lot of new friends volunteering at Bellyful.” She also credits the role with keeping her skills sharp: “My role as Recipient Coordinator has also meant I have had to keep my computer skills up to date which has been good.”
It hasn’t always been easy. Mary-Pat recalls a time when volunteer numbers were low: “A couple of years ago we were struggling to have enough volunteers so I was pleased that I was part of a small group who managed to keep things going and make sure our families continued to receive help.”
For her, volunteering offers both purpose and perspective. “Volunteering makes me feel positive and worthwhile, especially when it is a cause that is being well received. It keeps my brain active and has taught me a lot about what keeps our Christchurch community ticking.”
Mary-Pat’s journey reflects what so many volunteers discover: that giving your time not only strengthens the community but also brings connection, growth and unexpected friendships. Or as Mary-Pat puts it simply: “I enjoy volunteering because it makes you feel as though you are doing something useful and is always appreciated by the recipients.”
