A “car-load” of food supplies has been delivered to the Thames Foodbank after a performance dedicated to the marginalised members of the community.
St George’s Community Choir held a performance of Street Requiem last month, a “relatively new” work that the choir said was to remember those who had died on the streets, and to bring hope to communities struggling with street violence.
It had its premiere in Melbourne in 2014, and was brought to Thames audiences by the choir’s musical director and conductor, Sandie Davis-Roberts, who sung Street Requiem back in 2017 with another choir in Auckland.
The performance – which was in collaboration with seven other city choirs – raised funds for many organisations, including the Auckland City Mission.
“She’s now retired to Thames, and so she suggested we should do it here and it just fit,” committee member Karen Ruddock said. “This is probably the first time one of our performances has given back to the community.”
For the show, members of the choir wore an orange ribbon, which they said aimed to recognise the marginalised people of the community. They called for donations of money and food items to donate to the Thames Foodbank, located on Mary St.
Run by the Living Well Trust, the food bank acts as an essential donation and collection point for the area, and manager Caroline Talbot said she was grateful for the choir’s generosity.
“It’s important for the people who receive it – and that’s anybody who has a need,” she said. “Things happen in life where people end up being in need… and they can come in here or they can come in via other agencies.”
The performance of Street Requiem was a timely one, with The Profile in May reporting that up to a dozen displaced people had erected homes made out of tarps and tents alongside Danby Field in Thames.
They said they venture to the Thames Baptist Church, which the trust operates within, every morning for breakfast. They’re also provided with a hot lunch once a week which they said was “a big help”.
But Caroline said anyone in need could utilise the food bank service. It is open Monday to Thursday, 9am-11.30am.
BY KELLEY TANTAU
