The Hurricanes are on a mission to help some of the most disadvantaged members of the Wellington community after announcing The Wellington City Mission and Eat My Lunch as the club's official community partners.

Eat My Lunch is a social enterprise business giving lunches to hungry school children in need, while Wellington City Mission has been helping families and individuals in need, when they need it most, for over 110 years.

Hurricanes players will pitch in to help the two organisations throughout the 2017 Investec Super Rugby season and have wasted no time rolling up their sleeves and getting to work.

Captain Dane Coles and star wing Julian Savea joined their teammates on Friday in making 40 school lunches at Eat My Lunch's kitchen in Newtown, then delivered them to the pupils at Kahurangi Primary School in Strathmore.

CAPTION: Hurricanes players (L to R) Jeffery To'omaga-Allen, captain Dane Coles and wing Julian Savea help make lunches at Eat My Lunch's kitchen in Newtown. The players later distributed the lunches to Kahurangi School in Strathmore. PHOTO: Dave Lintott Photography.

At the same time the Barrett brothers, Beauden and Jordie helped distribute food packs from the front of the City Mission's Newtown Drop-in-Centre. The siblings also contributed to The Mission's 'Neighbours Day' to talk with youth and seniors about the importance of inter-generational communities supporting one another.

It's the sort of collaboration that will continue throughout the season, and fans will be able to make a contribution at selected matches during the season.

As well as a game-day collection for the City Mission, fans will be able to text GIVE TWO to Eat My Lunch to give two lunches to hungry school children at low decile schools the following week.

Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee said the two partnerships were a great way for the club and its fans to make a real difference.

"Eat My Lunch and City Mission are at the coal face making a tangible difference on a daily basis and to have the chance to be a part of that is exciting for everyone at the Hurricanes.

"Our players genuinely want to help their communities where they can. We are very lucky to have a passionate fan base and if our community partnerships can encourage them to get involved and make a contribution then that's a good result for everyone."

Eat My Lunch co-founder Lisa King said partnering with the Hurricanes would enable them to increase the number of lunches delivered to schools.

"The Hurricanes are a great team and we're big supporters! However, it's partnerships like this that enable us to feed the increasing number of hungry kids in New Zealand."

The Wellington City Mission chief executive Michelle Branney said the new partnership would make a real difference to the local community.

"It means so much to The Mission and the people we serve that the Hurricanes and their supporters are not only aware of people who are doing it tough, but actually pitch in to make a difference in our community. Go the Canes!"

CAPTION: Jordie Barrett and his older brother Beauden help a staff member make food at The Wellington City Mission for distribution at the Newtown drop-in-centre. PHOTO: Dave Lintott Photography 

* The Hurricanes remain committed to helping other community organisations throughout 2017 and will continue to hold a monthly draw. If your organisation is interested please email [email protected] to register your interest.

Eat My Lunch fact sheet

• Eat My Lunch is a social enterprise where customers can Buy one lunch for themselves, while at the same time give one to a Kiwi school kid. 
• Eat My Lunch has made over 740,000 and Given 370,000 lunches to school children at 42  schools (Auckland, Hamilton, and Wellington) including five in Wellington - Holly Cross School, Kahurangi School, Wainuiomata Primary, Pukeatua School, Mirimar Central.
• School children receive a wholesome sandwich, fresh fruit or vegetables, and a healthy snack each day.
• Eat My Lunch was founded in June 2015 by Lisa King, Iaan Buchanan and Award winning chef Michael Meredith
• Eat My Lunch has been the recipient of numerous awards including three Westpac Auckland Business Awards in 2016, The Rising Star - One to Watch, Deloittes Fast 50, Excellence in Social Innovation at Innovation Awards 2015, Local Hero Medal at the 2016 New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Awards and Lisa was awarded the 2016 Women of Influence Award in Business Enterprise.

To find out more: https://www.eatmylunch.nz/

Wellington City Mission fact sheet

• The Wellington City Mission has been helping Wellingtonians in need for over 110 years.
• The Mission prides itself on helping anyone in need, regardless of religion, age, ethnicity or social background.
• The four Mission programmes (Families, Youth, Independence and Seniors) and the elder care residential facility (Kemp Home & Hospital) help a range of people in the community to identify and address issues and create positive outcomes
• In the last financial year:
• 25,677 meal servings were provided in the Drop-in Centre
• 3,083 food parcels were given out
• 186 people received budgeting advice, and reduced their combined debt by over $107,000
• 346 children were supported by Mission for Families
• Mission for Youth students were assisted to achieve 158 NCEA credits

To donate to the Wellington City Mission: http://www.wellingtoncitymission.org.nz/help-us/