Anne Riley | Kai Avondale

Some people quietly change the places they live in.

Anne Riley is one of them.

Born and raised in Avondale, Anne has spent years showing up for her community. As the coordinator of Kai Avondale, she helps ensure food reaches people who need it, not just with generosity, but with dignity, respect and genuine human connection.

When the easyauto123 North Harbour team connected with Anne through Cars for Good, the intention was simple. To support someone already doing meaningful work. What we found was a story of resilience, humility and a community held together by care.

Kai Avondale began as a local response to food insecurity. Over time, it has grown into a network of initiatives supporting whānau across the suburb. From Kai Pataka community food pantries to food rescue, breakfast programmes and a weekly fruit and vegetable co-op, the work continues to evolve alongside the needs of the community.

Anne is at the centre of it all.

She coordinates volunteers, transports food, stocks pantries and makes sure no one feels judged when they ask for help. She remembers names. She shares jokes. She meets people where they are.

“The need is so great at the moment,” Anne says. “It feels like there has been a shift. Before you had people in social housing or living on the streets. Now it’s people who are working. You can definitely feel the squeeze.”

Food, for Anne, is not charity. It is a bridge. A way to keep people connected, supported and seen.

When the Work Does Not Stop

Anne’s leadership is practical and grounded. A former manager of the West Auckland Toy Library for more than 20 years, she also brings governance experience from serving on local non-profit boards.

When the Avondale Community Centre was closed without notice, Anne did not wait for a solution. She created one. Marquee tents were set up in the library car park, and meals continued without interruption.

It is this quiet determination that recently saw Anne recognised as a West Auckland Local Hero Medallist, with nomination for the national title to follow. True to form, she redirected the praise straight back to her volunteers and the Kai Avondale community.

She prefers it that way.

A Tool That Helps Good Travel Further

For Anne, having a vehicle is not about convenience. It is about capability.

The Cars for Good vehicle donation, a 2017 Mazda Premacy, will help Anne transport food, restock Kai Pataka, move produce boxes and respond faster to where help is needed most. It is a practical tool that allows good work to travel further.

When the car arrived, Anne was caught completely off guard.

“This is amazing, thank you so much,” she said. “I just thought you were coming down for a chat. I didn’t realise the car was coming today.”

Cars for Good exists to support people and organisations already making a real difference. Anne Riley and Kai Avondale are exactly that.

The impact of this support will not be loud or flashy. It will be felt in stocked food pantries, shared produce boxes and quiet conversations that remind people they matter.

Because sometimes doing good is not about recognition. It is about backing the people who keep showing up for their community.

And helping them go just a little further.

To learn more about Kai Avondale and the work Anne and her volunteers do every day, or to find ways to support their initiatives, visit https://www.iloveavondale.co.nz.