The arrival of a new baby is a life-changing moment, but for Ashleigh and her whānau, joy was quickly met with sorrow. Just days into parenthood, they found themselves navigating not only the demands of a newborn but also the sudden loss of her mother-in law.
“Aside from having a newborn delivered by c-section, there was shock and grief to navigate, a funeral to travel for and my husband was really depressed for about a year until he was able to come out the other side.”
Receiving Bellyful meals allowed Ashleigh and her family to focus on what truly mattered: their baby’s wellbeing and their own healing.
“It was amazing to have the meals to take that stress and worry off about feeding us every night and to make sure I could look after myself to look after a newborn,” Ashleigh reflects.
Her experience is shared by other Bellyful recipients. In an ongoing survey of thousands of families, 94% agree that receiving meals helped them focus on caring for their baby, while 88% say it provided stress relief when they needed it most.
But Bellyful’s impact extends beyond practical help. For Ashleigh, it was the kindness and thoughtfulness of the volunteers that left a lasting impression. Her family was nominated not once, but twice, by different people, ensuring they received support when they needed it most.
“The kindness that they had thought of us and that the Bellyful volunteers do this is just amazing. It is something I will never forget.”
Ashleigh says Bellyful meals make such a huge difference to families.
“I don’t think you can convey it when you receive the meals, but it’s truly amazing,” she says.
Her message to others is simple: if you can, pay it forward.
“Volunteer if you can, nominate a family, it just makes such an impact.”
