Everything but the kitchen sink is needed

BEN WATSON

FILLING A NEED: Albany Junior High student Gina Boniolo, 13, hands over some of the kitchen items she collected to Salvation Army social worker Fiona Knight.

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While other kids were raising money for World Vision, Gina Boniolo saw a need closer to home.

The 13-year-old Albany Junior High student has donated eight large boxes of kitchen equipment to refugees and families in transitional housing through the Salvation Army.

The Auckland branch has seven two-bedroom units for homeless families.

"They're generally single parent families, often there's a lack of money," community ministries social work team leader Fiona Knight says.

"Family violence is a common reason, or if they've been evicted. Some have a child in hospital and need to be close to the hospital."

The equipment will make a "huge impact" on these families, Mrs Knight says.

Gina's project began when her class studied global hunger. Pupils researched various organisations and each gave a donation to help out.

Gina rallied around the school to get pupils' families to donate any spare pots, baking dishes, and cutlery among other items.

Mrs Knight says they will go down a treat with the transitional housing families – some have just learned to cook.

Through their eight-week stay, parents are taught about cooking, good parenting, house-keeping and budgeting.

Email fiona-knight@nzf.salvationarmy.org if you would like to donate.

- © Fairfax NZ News