The DCM (Downtown Community Ministry) has been going in Wellington for 53 years. It’s stayed true to its original constitution of supporting the most marginalised and vulnerable within the city. Since 1969, it has continually evolved and, for the past 20 years, has focused on homelessness.

Matthew works at DCM as Kaiarataki Pūrongo (leader in communications). He says DCM’s number one approach is to be welcoming and non-judgemental. This means “rolling out the red carpet with coffee and kai … that’s where Good Bitches Baking comes in”.

Since it began in 2014, GBB has been supplying home-baking to DCM several times a week. GBB helps DCM create a “safe space for people sleeping rough in Wellington”.

As Matthew says “GBB’s own kaupapa interacts beautifully with DCM”. The baking has a massive impact. “It’s visually so appealing … the bakers put so much thought into it. Receiving it is really a beautiful thing … we share the words on the cards too.”

Matthew also enjoys the personal delivery and getting to know GBB bakers and drivers who are welcomed to stay on at the centre for the daily 9 am waiata session. The baking is eagerly anticipated and it disappears quickly. “We have to pass things around— we have to manage it!”