Auckland City Mission Cook-Off 2022

Alsco is actively involved in the Auckland City Mission Cook-Off again. The event was delayed from 2021 due to the Auckland lock-down, but pleasingly was rescheduled to June 2022.

The amazing work of the City Mission inspires us, it’s part of our community engagement, and we wish to support them by raising awareness and heaps of money. I was lucky enough to represent Alsco and be part of the Cook-Off this year – the fourth person from our business to take part. The Cook-Off brings together business leaders and top chefs to give back to our community through a special evening of good food and good company. On 9th June we all put our culinary skills to the test by cooking a three-course meal for 200 City Mission guests, under the expert guidance of some of Auckland’s top chefs. We were tasked with not only cooking a delicious, nutritious meals for people who otherwise couldn’t afford it, but raising $10,000 each for the Mission’s work to support Auckland’s most vulnerable people.

This year the work is more important than ever. Because of Covid, many more Aucklanders have been turning to the Mission for support through this time of crisis. One in five Auckland families are now struggling to put food on the table and demand for the Mission’s emergency food parcels has more than doubled to over 1000 food parcels every week.

The event was again staged at the magnificent St Matthews-in-the-City Church, which has been the Auckland home for the City Mission for over 100 years. We all looked the part, kitted out by Deane Apparel in the latest Cutting Edge chef wear. We had some wonderful feedback about the meal from the guests, who really felt like VIPs at the event.

The event was a huge success, raising more than $240,000 to support the Mission’s work for Auckland’s most vulnerable people. All this money will help provide emergency food parcels for people who would otherwise go hungry at this difficult time.

“It was a real privilege to be there, and be part of such a humbling experience”

Alsco raised just over $46,000; with our company donating $15,000, fantastic supplier support at $25,000, and amazing contributions from Alsco staff, friends and family. Thank you to everyone for the support, it is hugely appreciated. Every little bit counts.

Robbie Turnbull
Regional General Manager

Don’t Ignore the Signs: A Message From Craig

The May edition of the NZ Trucking magazine highlights learnings about the Alsco Heavy Electric Freighter, which was unveiled in November 2019, and it still the biggest HEV in New Zealand.

It features the amazing Craig Christensen, our driver who has been there with us every step of the way.

Last year Craig was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer. He is a battler though, and in a typical unselfish way he has used magazine space as an opportunity to spread an important message about men’s health.

In Craig’s words…

 “I’ll put my hand up and say I made a mistake, that I didn’t speak up earlier when I was having symptoms. I hid it very well. I didn’t want to talk to anyone about it and thought I could just wait for it to clear up, but in the long run, it didn’t clear up. My path now is just chemo; there’s nothing else we can do.”

“Especially in the transport industry, we’re bloke’s blokes, and don’t take the time to relax and have a meaningful break. The hours put stress on you. Find time to work in some fitness and good, nutritious food. From me to guys out there, speak up. If you’re feeling any symptoms, like back pain, heart pain, get checked it out no matter what it is. I made the mistake of ignoring them.”

“Men have got to look at themselves and get themselves checked for any minor problem. Get it diagnosed early!”

The Alsco family has a message for you too Craig. You are our hero. Stay strong buddy, we love you and want you back!

Bowel Cancer NZ