Loving thirteen years at the foodbank

Tina Devecourt, 43, has been volunteering at the Tauranga Community Foodbank for more than a decade. Photo/George Novak

Sporting a light pink apron with flowers and a big smile, Tina Devecourt says she felt "a bit nervous" when she joined the Tauranga Community Foodbank team of volunteers more than 13 years ago.

But, today, the 43-year-old regards the position as a part-time job and looks forward to helping out once a week.

Idea Services initially arranged the work placement and Ms Devecourt said, in the beginning, she was given the easy tasks in order to learn the ropes.

Known for her sense of humour, making a cup of Milo in the morning was a highlight, she said.

Ms Devecourt was in the crew responsible for breaking up the bulk goods into small packages for the food parcels.

She liked counting the Weetbix and toilet rolls but also enjoyed measuring out the sugar and flour.

The jobs were fun and she had made a lot of friends but the best part of all was helping others.

"I like that. A lot of people come in and we're starting to get really busy because we're close to Christmas."

Navigating her way around boxes of Christmas-inspired donations that have sprinklings of candy canes and chocolates, she makes her way to the work bench.

Fellow volunteer Chris Olsen gives her a hug and says, "She is fantastic and we have a lot of laughs don't we?"

She points to a small mountain of tinned food and dried goods, including soap, while plastic containers wait ready to be filled with tomato sauce, and explains that about eight volunteers work the bulk area on a Wednesday.

Foodbank manager Nicki Goodwin said it had 50 volunteers on its books and it could not operate without their assistance. Luckily, it did not struggle attracting volunteers, but welcomed enquiries.

"We are always looking for new team members."

The foodbank also networked with other organisations like Idea Services, an advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities, and she said Ms Devecourt was a valued volunteer.

"They come here for a variety of reasons and Tina comes here to work - it's part of her life, it's her job. She is very good at what she does and we appreciate her help."

Yesterday, the Bay of Plenty Times 2015 Christmas Appeal had raised $43,484 in cash and food items for the Tauranga Community Foodbank.

Tina Devecourt, 43, has been a volunteer at the Tauranga Community Foodbank for over a decade. Photo/George Novak

Can you help? The Bay of Plenty Times can drive starts today with staff members collecting goods for the Tauranga Community Foodbank from different suburbs.

The Lakes, today from 5.30pm
Matua, December 17 from 5.30pm
Papamoa, December 23 from 6pm

All non-perishable food, personal hygiene items and baby products will be gladly received. Anyone who will not be at home but who still wants to donate to the appeal can leave non-perishable goods to be collected on their doorstep with a note or items can be dropped off at BP Tauriko after 5.30pm.
Donations can also be dropped at the Bay of Plenty Times office at 405 Cameron Rd, or to the Tauranga Community Foodbank on Brook St near Fraser Cove.