Event-goers urged to support families

Rachelle and Chris Duffy, Tauranga Christmas in the Park organisers, are hoping to collect trailer loads of donations for local charities at the event.

This weekend's Tauranga Christmas in the Park will again support local charities, including the Tauranga Community Foodbank, and organisers expect to have trailer loads of food and toys to donate.

Everyone who attends the show is asked to bring a toy for a boy or girl and an item of non-perishable food.

Tom Hardie (right) is 22 and has been helping at foodbank for six years. He comes once a week with Matt, helping out as support.

The event comes as the 2014 Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal to raise money for the foodbank draws to an end.

Event organiser Rachelle Duffy said the toys would go to Homes of Hope and the Tauranga Women's Refuge, while the food would go to the foodbank and Good Neighbour Food Rescue.

A giant Santa's boot will be set up above a trailer for people to drop their donation in to, she said.

"Last year we had two massive trailers of food and presents, and this year we are hoping there will be more," she said.

"As the event's grown bigger, we have the opportunity to collect for even more community groups.

"It's fun because you can see people turning up with bags of food and stuff. It's really good for the kids too."

-The 2014 Bay of Plenty Times Christmas appeal has so far raised almost $72,000 this year, including almost 17,000 items of food valued at $2 each.