Tauranga entrepreneur and promoter Pato Alvarez will tell the story of how he overcame homelessness at a free community meal in Greerton tonight.

The event, run by voluntary organisation Kai Aroha, marks World Homeless Day.

Kai Aroha is one of the organisations in Tauranga that regularly feeds struggling community members.

Pato, who started Pato Entertainment, is the behind some of New Zealand's biggest music festivals – One Love and Bay Dreams.

Founder Tania Lewis-Rickard hopes Pato telling his story will bring about more awareness to the issue of homelessness in Tauranga Moana.

It is also an effort to show those that are struggling they are not alone, she says.

'Pato wanted to share motivation and inspiration as he has experienced homelessness himself. His story is especially for those who are experiencing poverty.

'I am seeing more people in need who are afraid to reach out for help. I don't want the community to feel that they are going through this struggle alone.”

She reckons the number of hidden homeless and working poor are on the rise in Tauranga.

'It's getting worse, and people need to know.

"I know what it's like being poor as a kid growing up. I have never been homeless but as a kid with my mum and my siblings, we were close to it. I will never forget those experiences, and my heart pounds for those who are experiencing poverty.”

Staff from social support service Te Tuinga Whanau have put their hand-up to cook-up the free community meal tonight, and Pato has donated $1000 to the cause.

'Come for a kai and hear why Pato has a huge heart for the poor, needy and homeless. You will be inspired,” Tania says.

Tania says everyone is welcome to attend the 'massive feed”.

The meal will take place tonight at The Greerton Community Hall from 6.30pm.