The founder of Canterbury's biggest food bank believes the public's safety wasn't at risk when he let a child sex offender drive a delivery van.

Allen Malsen was 16-years-old when he was convicted of 22 crimes against children in 2000.

LISTEN: Convicted paedophile seeks chance to reform

LISTEN: Charity: Why we let a paedophile work for us

Last week he was spotted driving an 0800 Hungry food truck in Christchurch.

He had sought the help of the charity's founder for mentoring purposes, but was asked to drive the van when one of the delivery drivers was away.

Charity founder Kerry Bensemann said it was a spur of the moment decision, but he doesn't believe anyone was at risk.

I looked at the fact I don't believe that he's a paedophile, I don't believe he's out there preying on people," he said.

Malsen himself understands the criticism being levelled against him, but adds people don't know his back story.

"They don't realise that I was abused at the age of seven, I offended at the age of fourteen and fifteen, and convicted at sixteen and sent to four years jail, taken away from my family."

Malsen acknowledges the severity of the crimes, but insists he's trying his best to move on from his past.