A surge in the number of new mothers seeking help from a Tauranga support agency has sparked an appeal for donations of clothing, nappies and supplies for newborns.

Pregnancy Choice is a voluntary non-profit organisation with seven locations across New Zealand, offering information and support to women facing an unexpected pregnancy.

Tauranga’s Pregnancy Choice Centre has a Koha Shop, which provides great quality clothing, linen and bric-a-brac items to mothers and their families for free.

Director Janice Tetley-Jones says their Koha Shop has experienced a recent rise in demand for items, which she puts down to a combination of the cold season and cost-of-living crisis.

“There have been at least two cases recently of mums who had to sleep in their car until emergency accommodation was found,” says Janice.

“We don’t want children going cold, so we support women who’ve had unplanned pregnancies to find accommodation and practical things like a car seat for their baby.

“We’ve been giving out a lot of care packages lately and we just don’t have enough stock.”

As a result, the not-for-profit is calling on Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty residents to pass on good-quality second-hand clothes to their Koha Shop – particularly items for newborns.

“People are valuable, and we want them to feel that value – so we insist on not handing out clothing that’s marked, stained or ripped,” says Janice.

“We honour people – no matter what their circumstances are. One comment from a couple recently was: ‘You gave us our dignity back again’ and that meant a lot to us.”

Pregnancy Choice Koha Shop manager Shanelle Shaw says small items like disposable newborn-size nappies, knitted clothes, wraps, baby wipes and creams are always needed for care packages.

“Donors come in with buggies, cots or bassinets,” says Shanelle, who is heartened by the generosity of locals who give larger items.

“Some ask us to gift them to someone, while others put them in the shop for us to sell and make money that supports the service we provide.

“We’ve also just been approved to do Winz quotes for beneficiaries applying for funding for larger items.”

Janice says times are tight – “and a lot of people simply don’t know we’re here, trying to support new mums. So any donations would be incredible and appreciated by those in need.”

Donations can be dropped at Tauranga Pregnancy Choice centre, corner of Eleventh Ave and Christopher St, during opening hours of 9am-4pm Monday-Friday and Saturdays 10am-1pm.