A Tauranga community group that provides free meals to those in need, is asking the community for help keeping people warm this winter.

Under the Stars needs sleeping bags, jumpers, blankets, beanies, and socks, strategic partnership and funding manager Ani Stace said.

The demand for clothing, showers, and shelter rises in winter, as many cannot afford laundry services, Stace said.

“Some can be in wet clothes and shoes for days,” Stace said.

Cottage pie, beans and bread rolls served by Under the Stars.

Under the Stars invited SunLive to their Thursday meal, where a team of meal managers prepare the food and the space at 45 Cliff Rd, donated by Bay Venues.

“It’s quite a big project.”

Meal managers receive first aid, de-escalation, first aid training and promote a positive environment for those who use their services.

Take away supplies, such as beverages and canned food for those in need. Photo / Tom Eley

According to the organisation’s website, the meal service is on Thursday at noon and Saturday at 5pm.

Alongside the warm meal, there will be an option to take away some hot soup and a table of canned goods, and drinks will be freely given away.

Under the Stars was born in 2014 by Liz Kite.

“She started with a plastic picnic table in the middle of town, giving out food she had available.”

The group moved to its Cliff Rd location in 2016 and celebrated its 10th anniversary last year.

Hot showers, toilets and many of life’s necessities are found here, Stace said.

The service is not only for those who sleep rough on the street, but also for those who are on the borderline and do not have access to laundry or cooking facilities.

“Some people, and they’ll say a laundromat is out of the budget if they have kids, they will feed them over washing their clothes.”

“The other day, [a client] just got out of prison, he’s in accommodation, and he hadn’t had a hot meal for a month because there were no cooking facilities,” Stace said.

Under the Stars receives support from the Tauranga City Council and can use parts of the carpark on Cliff Rd free of charge.

Stace said if they had more space, they could help more people in the city.

She said issuing volunteer parking passes for Under the Stars would allow their clients to park close to the food service during the day.

The service is judgment-free, but has some basic rules about respect, and even then, they will not refuse people food, Stace said.

“We will feed them in the carpark.”

To make donations, please email: admin@underthestars.org.nz or phone: 022 379 6371.