Feilding, Manawatu · Est. 2009
Stronger together, one family at a time.
We connect Feilding families with the food, skills and safe housing they need — and we connect neighbours who want to help with the shifts that make it possible.
- Registered charity CC48291
- 100% locally funded
- 42 active volunteers
01 · Our mission
Every Feilding family deserves a warm home, a full fridge, and someone in their corner.
Founded in 2009 by a group of Feilding parents who saw neighbours going without, the Trust now runs four programmes that wrap around families in need — from rescued food on the table tonight to a mentoring plan for the year ahead. We do not means-test, we do not lecture, and we never charge. Everything is funded by donations and business partnerships from this community.
02 · Programmes
Four programmes, one goal.
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Kai Rescue Feilding
Every week our van collects surplus food from New World Feilding, Pak'nSave Palmerston North, local growers and the Manawatu Food Hub. We sort at the Manchester Street kitchen and distribute to 80+ families through three community pantry hubs — no questions asked. Last year we rescued 18 tonnes of food that would have gone to landfill.
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Budget Busters
A free six-week financial literacy course run in partnership with Feilding Community Finance. Participants learn to read a bank statement, set up automatic payments, challenge unfair fees, and build an emergency buffer. We have graduated 214 people since 2017, and over 85% report feeling more in control of their money twelve months later.
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Rangatahi Rise
One-to-one mentoring for young people aged 12 to 18 who are struggling at school or at home. Each rangatahi is matched with a trained volunteer mentor who meets them weekly for at least a year — at school, at the skatepark, wherever they feel comfortable. We currently support 34 young people across Feilding and Rongotea.
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Warm & Safe
Emergency transitional housing for individuals and families. We manage four two-bedroom units on Bowen Street and work with MSD, local landlords and the Manawatu Tenants' Union to find permanent placements. Average stay is 11 weeks. We also run a curtain bank and a bedding drive every April.
03 · Get involved
Pick a shift, show up, change a week.
Below is next week's volunteer board. Tap the shifts that suit you, review the summary, and submit your name — we will confirm by email the same evening. Every shift includes a briefing on arrival; no experience needed.
Volunteer shifts — week of 21 Sep 2026
Your shifts
- No shifts selected yet.
Total hours:
04 · Events
Coming up in Feilding.
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5Oct 2026
Spring Community Kai Market
Free rescued produce and baking at the Manchester Street Hall, 9 am – 12 pm. Bring your own bags. Live music from Feilding Ukulele Club.
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18Oct 2026
Budget Busters Graduation
Celebrating our fourteenth cohort at the Feilding Civic Centre, 6 pm. Whanau welcome. Guest speaker: local financial advisor Tama Raukawa.
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8Nov 2026
Rangatahi Rise Quiz Night
Fundraiser at the Feilding RSA, tables of six, $15 per person. Prizes, supper, and bragging rights. Book via email.
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22Nov 2026
Annual Curtain & Bedding Drive
Drop off clean curtains, duvets and blankets at the Manchester Street Hall, 10 am – 2 pm. Everything goes to Warm & Safe families.
05 · Impact & stories
Voices from the community.
When we lost the house in the flood, the Trust had us in a warm unit within forty-eight hours. The kids did not miss a single day of school. I cannot say enough about what that meant.
I thought I was just volunteering on the van. Three years later I have a food-safe certificate, a part-time job at New World, and a reason to set the alarm. The Trust gave me a routine, not a handout.
My mentor, Sarah, never judged me. She just kept turning up. She helped me get my learner licence, and when I passed, she cried harder than my mum.
The people behind the programmes.
Aroha Waititi
Trust ManagerSocial worker by training, Feilding born and raised. Aroha founded the Trust after seeing neighbours turned away from services that did not exist locally.
Tane Parata
Kai Rescue CoordinatorFormer chef turned food-rescue champion. Tane drives the Monday and Friday van runs and manages the three pantry hubs across Feilding.
Sarah Bloomfield
Youth Mentoring LeadRegistered teacher and trained youth mentor. Sarah matches every Rangatahi Rise participant with the right volunteer and checks in monthly.
Mike Henare
Housing & MaintenanceRetired builder who keeps the four Bowen Street units warm, dry and ready for the next family. Also runs the curtain bank out of his garage.
06 · Donate
Every dollar stays in Feilding.
We are a registered charity (CC48291). All donations over $5 receive a tax receipt. We have no paid fundraisers — every dollar you give goes directly to food, housing or mentoring.
How your donation is used
$25 — feeds a family of four for a week through Kai Rescue.
$50 — covers materials for one Budget Busters participant.
$100 — pays for a month of mentoring sessions for one young person.
$250 — provides a full linen set for a Warm & Safe unit.
Bank transfer details
Feilding Community Trust
ANZ 06-0729-0123456-00
Reference: your name or business
Business sponsorship
We partner with local businesses for programme sponsorship, event naming rights and in-kind support. Current sponsors include Feilding Auto Centre, Manchester Street Pharmacy, and Turners & Growers Manawatu. Email info@feildingcommunitytrust.org.nz for our sponsorship booklet.