Help Me Make a Difference
I love to cook, whether it is for family or friends. Food has this way of gathering people around the table that I just love.
I am very fortunate that I can put food on the table. But over the years I have come to understand that food is so much more than just nutrition. A warm meal feeds the body yes, but it also feeds the soul. It gives people a sense of dignity, of belonging, of being cared for. It is good for your mental health in ways we do not always stop to think about.
That understanding has been deepened watching my son, an elite athlete, and seeing first-hand just how profoundly what we eat shapes not only physical performance but mood, focus, resilience, and mental wellbeing. It has made me think so much more carefully about what it means for people who do not have that foundation at all.
And that is exactly what I want us to think about. If you are lucky enough to sit down to a warm meal today, just pause for a moment and think about what it would feel like if you could not. The loneliness of that. The hopelessness. A roof over your head, companionship, a warm meal. These are not luxuries, they are what every person deserves.
That is why the work Auckland City Mission does matters so much. And it is why I am taking part in the Cook Off on 8th June, joining senior business leaders and top chefs at the NZ International Convention Centre for Auckland City Mission - Te Tāpui Atawhai's Cook Off. For one night, we come together to cook a delicious four-course meal for over 200 Mission guests, people experiencing homelessness or facing a daily struggle to put food on the table. Our collective goal is an ambitious $400,000.
EVERY SINGLE WEEK, over 1,600 warm and nutritious meals are served in Haeata, the Mission's community dining room, to people living on the streets or in substandard accommodation without any ability to cook. Together we are aiming to raise enough to provide over 25,000 meals for people at Haeata this winter.
I am proud to be part of The Cook Off but I cannot do it without you. If you are able to, please make a donation. Every single one will make a difference.
$1600 raised
$5008 raised
$7500 raised
$10000 raised! Ka rawe!
Even more meals! Thank you and all your supporters!
This amount supports 1,250 people with a hot nutritious meal at Haeata this winter - huge impact!
Congratulations on reaching your goal!
Thank you to everyone!
$215
Leona Cheffins
$250
Rachel Baxter
Great work Vicki - an awesome cause
$529
James Whittaker
Hi Vikki - such a great cause. Very happy to support you on your journey to the target $. All the best, James.
$106.12
Gaine Clarke
$320
Jonathan Mason
$54.84
Vaughan Biggs
Go Vikki! Fantastic cause - soul food!
$54.84
Marlene
Great cause, go well
$173.28
Peter Herdson
Love your work Vikki
$106.12
Jen Rolfe
Well done Vikki
$106.12
Jo F
Fabulous cause Vikki, all the best!
$86.07
Richard Parker
An amazing thing you are doing Vikki. Good luck.
$173.28
Alastair
$86.07
Grant Watson
Great purpose - Go Vikki
$86.07
Anonymous
$54.84
Natalie Back
Fabulous cause - you've got this Vikki!
$86.07
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$86.07
Jayne Wear
Great cause Vikki and all the best for the Cook Off!
$267.25
The Cook Off Matched Giving Donations
Incredible work! Keep cooking up those donations.
$267.25
James A
Go Vikki! Great cause!
$173.28
Toni Laming
$105.50
Juliet Lichtenstein
Nice one Vikki
$105.50
Anonymous
$126.60
Tim
Go for it Vikki!
$105.50
Bindi Norwell
A very worthy cause
$168.80
Billy Lynch
$105.50
Peter Reidy
$520
Bridget Coates
Go Vikki and team!
$84.40
Neil Livingston
Great initiative !!!!!!!
$337.60
Michele K
Fantastic work Vikki
$105.50
Carrie H
Great cause, Vikki
$105.50
Sinead Horgan
$263.75
Catherine
Awesome mahiN
$105.50
Gordon Holmes
Great work Vikki! All the best for achieving your target and making a difference for the people you are supporting.
$84.40
Glen Sowry
Love your work Vikki!
$52.75
Jodi O’donnell
Best of luck Vikki !!
$211
Kate Daly
$84.40
Ahleen Rayner
Go well Vikki!
$84.40
Philip Doak
Go well Vikki. Great cause
$337.60
Mike Bennetts
A worthy cause that would benefit from your energy
$105.50
Dave Pretorius
Go Vikki, legend!
$100
Gareth Fraser
$84.40
Scott M
$84.40
Shannon Kelly
Such an amazing initiative. Great work Vikki!
$105.50
Stew Smith
Such a great cause Vikki! Thank you for raising awareness and taking action.
$84.40
Mark Malpass
Great cause, Vikki
$337.60
Pete R
Well done Vikki
$105.50
Glynis Sandland
Thanks for taking on a great cause Vicky - good luck!
$263.75
Lindis Jones
Great initiative
$500
Catherine Drayton
$105.50
Jo Mccauley
Great work Vikki - thank you.
$520
Albert
Great effort Vikki!!
$84.40
Vanessa Stoddart
$84.40
Amanda
Great initiative, Vikki. Humbled to make a tiny contribution.
$105.50
Julia Raue
Fantastic Vikki -
$105.50
Neil Cowie
Go you ! , it’s a fun event for a wonderful cause.
$105.50
Anonymous
Go well Vicki, great cause
$105.50
Phil Hand
A great cause Vikki, happy to support.
$84.40
Clare Ohiggins
Great cause and youve got this Vikki
$105.50
Kim Ballinger
Well done Vicky
$52.75
Susan Verner
What a wonderful initiative! Best of luck with it.
$84.40
Antony
Great job Vikki.
$21.10
Nicole See
$52.75
Lucy Frater
Brilliant cook for a brilliant cause x
$105.50
Adelene Lynch
$105.50
Emily Durey
Great initiative Vicky
$105.50
Stewart Mcrobie
Well done Vikki. A great cause to give your time and make an effort for.
$168.80
Mel Dooney
What a wonderful endeavour & I am sure it will also be a lot of fun.
$211
Lindsay Cowley
Great cause Vikki. Go well.
$105.50
Amelia Vela
$168.80
Joe Mccollum
$100
Daniela Westphalen
Awesome initiative, go Vikki!
$84.40
Claire Walker
Good for you Vikki! This is such a worthy initiative to support.
Great cause.