Registered charity Blessed Box has been acknowledged for its efforts in creating a virtual safe space for local mums.
The charity recently received a Clutha District Council community service award and $1000 for its initiative to provide support and nourishment to Clutha mothers and families following the birth of their baby.
Founder and member Olivia Mathieson said the award was a big step for the non› profit initiative.
‘‘We were aware and very grateful for the nomination, let alone being acknowledged and winning an award.
‘‘We were surprised and very proud,’’ Mrs Mathieson said.
‘‘We’ve got plenty of people that volunteer and work as hard as they can to provide for our local mothers, and it’s very rewarding for both them and us.
‘‘We get amazing feedback and we love supporting mums as much as we can.’’
The volunteers and organisers curate boxes containing a prepared family meal, cupcakes and other treats, as well as breastfeeding and sleep› deprivation snacks, and give them to local mums.
Mrs Mathieson said their mission was to connect the community to support and nourish mothers in the postpartum period through the gift of food.
‘‘The money we got from the award has gone back into creating more boxes for mothers and it has helped us a lot.
‘‘We really want to continue getting our name around the district so more people know to refer new coming mothers so we can bless them,’’ she said.
‘‘Our main goal is to identify every new mother in the district and send them a Blessed Box.
‘‘We’re aiming for complete inclusivity within the Clutha district.’’
Other goals for the Blessed Box crew were to find a larger space around the area to work from rather than Mrs Mathieson’s home, and expand to bring more volunteers and community help into the initiative.
‘‘We’re very thankful for the nomination and award, and we look forward to meeting new mothers in the district so they can be blessed with their box too,’’ Mrs Mathieson said.
Further details on Blessed Box can be found on the group’s website and social media pages.
› We get amazing feedback and we love supporting mums as much as we can. ›
