BENEVOLENT WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 172, 24 July 1933, Page 11

BENEVOLENT WORK.

In reporting to the directors of the Presbyterian Social Service Association, Sister Esther said the last month had been a trying one. They were thankful for gifts of food and clothing. She had never known a time in all her experience of social work when the need was greater. On a recent morning, from eight to eleven o'clock, they supplied food to 173 families. Among these were many new cases. On the previous Saturday a well-dressed man, who had been for many years in business in a distant town, applied for help. He was to start relief work in two days, but in the meantime his wife and children were without food. When he called at the office and saw tho crowd of needy people, it brought homo very forcibly to him the fact that he was now one of them, and he was overwhelmed with grief. The workers hardly knew what to do with him. Young wives, especially those who were anxious to make proper preparation for the first baby, were having a hard time. It was utterly impossible for them to make, on relief wages, provision for themselves or for the baby to come. To them it all seemed hopeless. On June 12 the workers began to reinvestigate all cases and to compile a new register. In four weeks 422 cases had applied, or reapplied for assistance. They comprised 1272 persons —5G4 adults and 708 children. In all 3J tons of vegetables havs been received and distributed in small quantities. Messrs. Adams Bruce, Ltd., had rebaked their left-over cake into squares and were sending them in daily, or not less than three times a week. It was not unusual for the worker*; to receive 700 of these substantial and appetising squares in one day. Hundreds of loaves had been received and distributed, and 1133 parcels of food had been given out, an average of 51 per day. Many beds, mattresses, bedding and clothing also had been given out, and a truck of coal received from Mr. J. Raynes, freight paid. The workers were getting down to bedrock so far as boots, shoes and clothing were concerned, and although the response to the winter appeal was gratifying the demand was greater than ever before.