Te Puke’s the Hub is gearing up for winter, as demand for its food service has exploded.

In the January-March quarter, it served 275 whānau.

Hub’s CEO Scott Nicholson said rough sleepers historically accessed the service, but more dual-income families are receiving aid.

“About 60-80% of our cohort fit that description.”

Nicholson sees a growing problem: impoverished seniors are less likely to use the Hub’s services.

The Hub had faced closure in 2024, but after receiving a services contract from the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, it has remained open, Nicholson said.

If it had closed, people who rely on The Hub’s services would need to travel to Tauranga, putting more pressure on providers in the city, he said.

The Hub rescued 11,401kg of food, stopping it from ending up in these landfills.

Local kiwifruit growers and supermarkets like Woolworths and New World support the food services, with 12,911kg of food distributed.

Nicholson said his team, including 22 volunteers, will save food destined to landfills and waste, or otherwise wasted.

He said about 40% of food is in landfills before it even gets to market for sale.

“We don’t utilise the food in the right way,” he said.

Nicholson said that this food is either used for feeding farm animals or might harm businesses’ bottom lines.

In April, The Hub had 300 interactions, with the centre only open for 10 working days, during that period, Nicholson said.

Some of those will be repeat visits or the same person accessing different services offered at the Hub, Nicholson said.

In the January and March quarters, there were 927 interactions, according to data from the Hub.

The Hub rescued 11,401kg of food, stopping it from ending up in these landfills.

Clients can access the food service via a koha, where clients pay $20 to $40 and end up with double or triple the value, Nicholson said.

While the food packages look very similar, Nicholson said The Hub caters to people from different cultural backgrounds or with allergies.

Pets of those living at the edges are also looked after, as Nicholson and his team provide pet food, he said.

“For many people, animals provide emotional support and safety,” Nicholson said.

The Hub also offers financial planning, clothing in winter, a free haircut and an insurance advocacy service.

“Bex the barber does a great job convincing some of our more reluctant rough sleepers to get their hair done.”

The insurance advocacy service surprised Nicholson the most with its effectiveness, as the “minefield” of insurance can be challenging to navigate.

Nicholson said the haircut service is on a Wednesday, and the insurance advocacy takes place on a Tuesday.