Church to give Easter buns, chocolate milk, to low-decile schools

On Wednesday 8 April two low-decile schools in Wellington will receive Easter buns and milk from St John’s in the City Presbyterian Church, Wellington.

For morning tea on Wednesday, Berhampore School and Newtown School in Wellington will receive from St John’s congregation buttered Easter buns and chocolate milk for every student and teacher.

The Rev Allister Lane, senior minister at St John's in the City says that low-decile schools regularly have pupils arrive without having had breakfast or without lunch.

“Easter marks the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and moderation, and for too many children it is Lent all year long. The congregation at St John’s are deeply concerned that the economic situation means some children will see their peers enjoying Easter buns and chocolate but cannot afford these celebratory treats themselves because their families are struggling to afford basic bread and milk.”

This Wednesday 8 April, the Right Rev Dr Graham Redding, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand will, along with other Church leaders, meet with the Prime Minister John Key to express the Presbyterian Church’s concerns about the affect of the growing recession on communities.

“The Presbyterian Church is particularly concerned about the effect the recession is having on children from low income families. The notion that we might spend our way out of the recession is simplistic and fails to acknowledge the many issues that need addressing in relation to the consumerist culture we live in.”

“Data suggests that the demand for foodbanks and Christian social services is increasing as the recession deepens. Churches are responding accordingly but there is only so much churches can alleviate and it is important that the Government’s economic and welfare policies are reviewed constantly to give priority to easing the burden on the most vulnerable people in our society.”