Business bumps up foodbank appeal with $5000

Christine Olsen started volunteering at the foodbank three months ago. She loved the "chatty happy workmates". Her best experiences were "seeing people making the effort to help others by donating extra eggs from their chickens, vegetables and home baking".

The Tauranga Community Foodbank this week received another big boost with a donation of $5000 from a local business.

Tauranga ITM owner Maurice Cowling first made the donation a few years ago and has continued to do so every year since.

This boosts the total raised through the Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal for the foodbank so far to more than $29,600.

Store manager Brent McDonald said he was fully supportive of the donation. "We're a locally owned and operated company and we can give back a bit at Christmas time to the community and help out those who are not as fortunate," he said.

"We think it's a good thing to support, especially at this time of year when people are struggling for money and presents and food.

"People are forced to have holidays. Buying presents and stuff for the kids, the food can come second place."

Mr Cowling was away on holiday and unable to be reached for comment.

The donation is one of a number of generous donations.

Cooney Lees Morgan partner and TECT trustee Paul Tustin also donated $5000, Holland Beckett lawyers gave $1892.05, the Bay of Plenty Times contributed $1000, the Warehouse Fraser Cove $623.90 and TECT $513.

So far more than 4100 items, valued at $2 each, have been collected as well as more than $21,200 in cash.

The campaign will run until December 20.

Last year's appeal raised more than $86,000 for the organisation.