What started with eight kids needing breakfast in a school in South Auckland, expanded beyond the imagination of anyone involved.
The whole amazing ride of BC Kids began at Randwick Park School, a decile-one primary in Manurewa. Steve had been helping a friend clear out surplus school books and discovered the school could use them. When he dropped them off, he mentioned wanting to help in other ways. On 10 July 2010, he set up the first breakfast club with just eight kids. Within a year, it had grown to 70.
What began as simply feeding hungry kids soon expanded into other forms of support, as BC volunteers spoke with children and learned what was happening in some homes. A foodbank was established with the backing of Southmall New World. St Kentigern College joined in, offering support across multiple areas. BC also delivered donated appliances and furniture to families, and provided cooking equipment and food for teaching classes.
A small article in the national newspaper led to a major New Zealand company reaching out. The cooking class at Randwick Park School went on to win a top Auckland award. BC was featured in the NZ Herald in a story celebrating the success of the foodbank, and soon after, Hubbards got in touch to offer their support.
As word spread and media coverage grew, more supporters came on board and BC began reaching into other schools. The NZ Herald ran a 2000-word feature on the journey so far. With Rotary Epsom’s backing, the first Sports Academy launched at Randwick Park School, complete with new uniforms and footwear from Shoe Clinic Manukau. BC expanded to Glen Innes and St Pius X Schools, set up a foodbank base, and hosted its first Christmas Banquet for 150 guests. Eastridge New World soon joined as a major partner.
Things just kept rolling — the kids were even on TV! Two Randwick Park students earned sporting scholarships to St Kentigern College and Auckland Grammar. BC Sports Academy kids featured in an Adidas All Blacks advert, South Auckland Christian Food Bank came on board with support, and programmes expanded to Glen Taylor School. The year ended with a Christmas Banquet at Glen Innes School for 600 guests.
Riding around town delivering food, appliances, and support was starting to take its toll on the volunteers’ cars — until a very kind soul stepped in with the now well-known BC van, donated by an anonymous supporter and Empire Electrical. Shoe Clinic Sylvia Park and KiwiHarvest joined the cause, while Hubbards sponsored the signwriting on the van. At Glen Innes School, polo shirts were provided for senior students, and a hangi for 250 children celebrated Matariki. BC also began sponsoring St Kentigern student Te Ahiwaru in his sporting scholarship, and capped off the year by hosting a Christmas Store for 200 families.
Generous offerings from the community is what keeps us going. Along with the massive support from our major sponsors, it is the reason we can do what we do. For that we thank you.