I have never been more proud to live in Tauranga.
Since our annual Christmas Appeal was launched on November 14, a constant flow of donations has rolled into the Bay of Plenty Times office and to the Tauranga Community Foodbank's Brook St headquarters.
Our total on Christmas Eve hit new heights of $110,736.53, exceeding last year's record-setting amount of $107,519.05.
Enough food has been donated to fill food parcels for three months and the remaining cash will pay for foodbank supplies throughout next year.
Every day of the six-week long appeal I have seen Tauranga at its most generous. Not only have a huge number of local businesses supported the appeal by signing a cheque or running an in-house can drive with staff and customers, the public has been hugely supportive.