Newspaper Article 1995 – Drop-in re-opens

Drop-in re-opens

After almost 20 years of providing a regular Friday Drop-In Centre for the Havelock North community, last year the St Luke’s Centre closed its doors. Now, less than a year later, with encouragement from the new vicar, David Dinnis, a grant from the Friends of Anglican Care and gifts of two microwave ovens the centre is up and running again.

At the time it closed, the committee, most of them original members, felt it was time for a change. They had hoped to find others to replace them but with fewer people available to do the necessary cooking and preparation they were unable to. About the same time Age Concern expanded their outreach into the community and were holding more frequent gatherings so fewer people were attending the drop-in. It was thought other groups had been meeting those needs and the centre went into recess.

“But now we are operating again,” says Dariel Evans co-ordinator of the new group of volunteers running the facility.

“We no longer do all the cooking ourselves, although the volunteers do bake the morning tea. We now purchase a prepared main meal from Waiapu House, the Anglican Care Home for the elderly in Havelock North who also cater for the St James Drop in Centre in Hastings,” Mrs Evans said.

As well as providing a social time for locals, the drop-in organisers are planning for entertainment and guest speakers. They have been encouraged by the good attendances and the number of familiar faces from the original drop-in as well as many new ones.

Photo caption – Visitors to St Luke’s Havelock North recently reopened Drop-in Centre. Amongst them was Mr Les Kemp, back left; Mr Cyril Hall and in the foreground Mr Tom Wheeler talks to visitors from Napier.