This Friday 27th August is the Cancer Society's annual Daffodil Day. Their Kāpiti Support Centre is a recipient of Good Bitches Baking and is featured as our next Recipient Story.
The spirit of manaaki, of cherishing, caring for and sustaining others, underpins the ethos of the Cancer Society’s Kāpiti Support Centre in Paraparaumu on the Kāpiti Coast. The much appreciated koha of “fantastic” Good Bitches’ baking once a month frees up staff and volunteers to do what they do best and is invaluable in enabling people with cancer and their whānau to talk and share in the Centre’s hospitality, comfort and support.
The Centre is a warm and welcoming hub, relying totally on donations from the community and a strong volunteer base. It is a place for people with cancer, who may be going through a tough time, to feel nurtured and safe. It is a source of information and advocacy as well as providing exercise classes, support groups, therapeutic massage, mindfulness sessions, workshops and individual counselling.
Volunteering is at the heart of what the Centre provides with members of the community managing the office, developing and maintaining the building and tending the gardens. Volunteers drive people to hospital appointments, assist with shopping, provide a visiting programme and can tailor their support to meet individual needs. Good Bitches Baking is integral to the Centre’s volunteer network with the “awesome” baking taking pressure off those who are already working hard in their respective roles.
“There is nothing like home-baking to enable people to feel nurtured. People sense that the generous GBB gift is made with love.”
Hilary Adams, Centre Support and Information Coordinator, and Mandy Savage, Health Promotion and Centre Coordinator, say the notes that come with the GBB baking show that love. They also note the ingredient list is really helpful as people with cancer undergoing treatment or in remission may often have dietary requirements that need to be met. “Sharing food together is a way of showing aroha to those who may be feeling lost or vulnerable— we all love GBB baking.”