WORLD HOMELESS DAY - Locals act locally on a Global day
World Homeless Day is on the 10th of October every year and was born out of discussions between aid workers around the world, all of whom were helping the homeless in their own countries.
The aim and slogan of the Day is ‘locals act locally on a global day’. The emphasis is on giving hands-on aid that is sensitive to local needs in your community, while being aware of the global problem of homelessness and feeling solidarity with other charity workers around the world.
On this day, you can celebrate by helping to raise awareness for the homeless in your own community. Grassroots campaigns and fundraisers work at the local level, while taking advantage of the increased publicity and solidarity a global platform provides.
We had a look at one of the grassroots campaigns that has been happening in South Auckland as a solution to immediate and local needs in the area - PATAKA KAI or Open Street Pantries.
Whether there's a need for food or a need to give, the Open Street Pantries Movement facilitates neighbors helping neighbors, building community. All of the street Pantries are stocked organically and those who wish to contribute may do so at their own discretion when convenient.
You can check out their Facebook page here which was setup as a way to help inspire everyday residents in South Auckland communities to start up a free open street pantry for the community to share their spare produce & excess food.
They are not connected to any legal entities, organisations or govt groups and operate completely on their own as residents. Homeless or those in need can simply help themselves to anything in the open street pantry!
On the other hand if you have anything spare from home, feel free to drop it off. You do not need to trade if you can't, just take what you like :)
Click the link here to a map of all the Auckland Pataka kai's or Open Street Pantries that you can donate to, get involved with or maybe start your own for people in need in your own community.
