Christmas appeal: ITM's $5000 gift

Greerton ITM have made a $5000 donation to the foodbank. Pictured are staff members Dean Cave, Alan Tong and Mike Riddell. PHOTO/GEORGE NOVAK

A single donation of $5000 will go a long way to providing food for those in Tauranga struggling to get by.

ITM in Greerton has contributed to the Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal for the Tauranga Community Foodbank for many years and dug deep again to contribute $5000 this year.

It's a stressful time of year for a lot of people really," said owner Maurice Cowling.

"I think everyone should have a chance to enjoy Christmas and the festive season.

"It's our way of saying thank you to the community and making sure people can enjoy Christmas."

Mr Cowling said his staff always supported the donation and liked the idea of helping those less fortunate.

Foodbank manager Nicki Goodwin said Mr Cowling not only gave each Christmas but during the year too.

This year when the foodbank had to move buildings at short notice he donated all the timber and wheels to make the new shelving.

"Maurice is just fabulous. He's really, really generous."

Ms Goodwin said $5000 might not seem a lot but it went a long way.

"It's thousands of eggs, it's milk powder, it's all the spreads.

"It's a huge donation. It makes a huge difference."

The foodbank spent between $50,000 and $60,000 a year on groceries so $5000 was enough to cover about five weeks worth of food, she said.

The Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal has so far raised $100,283.29 for the Tauranga Community Foodbank in cash and food donations.