Last year’s appeal resulted in $256,471 being donated - $167,758.84 in cash and $88,712 in food donations, with each item valued at $2.50. It was the highest total raised in the appeal’s history. The second-highest was $254,416 donated in 2020.
Foodbank manager Nicki Goodwin said the response has been “amazing”, with the generous donations coming alongside “many” emails from individuals, groups and businesses planning food donation collections.
She said it was exciting to see both regular supporters and new supporters getting in contact.
“Considering the hardship a lot of people are facing, those that are in a position to give seem to be very on board with the appeal.”
This year has seen “record demand” for the foodbank, helping 22,298 people from 8213 households, which included 11,797 children. This was 28 per cent more than last year, and nearly 50 per cent more than in 2021.
The foodbank also spent an average of just over $20,000 per month on staple foods compared to about $14,800 the year before.
The average household experienced a 7.4 per cent rise in living costs in the year to September, according to Statistics New Zealand.
An increase in interest payments of 27.3 per cent was the biggest contributor, followed by rises in the cost of grocery food (11 per cent), rent (5 per cent), insurance (12.9 per cent) and property rates or related services (9.6 per cent).
According to Stats NZ’s most up-to-date Consumers Price Index, the prices of meat, fish and poultry increased 8 per cent on the previous year.
The index also recorded a 4.6 per cent hike in transport costs and a 5.3 per cent rise in the cost of housing and housing utilities, including energy.
Trade Me rental figures show the median rent in Tauranga was $680 in August, with prices viewed as likely to keep rising over the next year as supply dropped.
- Treats
- Cereal
- Spreads
- Nappies: Size four, five, six
- Drinking chocolate and coffee
- Muesli bars
- Canned fruit
- Tinned fish
Any items are welcome, even if they’re not on the list. Cash donations are also welcome.