TECT donates its own cheque to paper's Christmas foodbank appeal

TECT general manager Wayne Werder said donating their TECT cheque to the foodbank as part of the 2014 Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal was the obvious thing to do. Photo / George Novak

A Tauranga trust is establishing a new tradition with a $513 donation to the 2014 Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal for the Tauranga Community Foodbank.

TECT general manager Wayne Werder said it made sense for the trust, which financially supported local organisations, to donate the payout back to the community.

"It's unique this year because TECT has just established its own office and for the first time we've realised we're eligible for our own TECT cheque," he said.

"TECT is set up to assist community groups, so it makes sense to give [our cheque] up."

Mr Werder said he planned to donate the cheque to a worthy cause each year.

With the Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal in full swing, it was easy to decide which charity to donate the cash to, he said.

"Clearly, with Christmas coming up and the festive season, it's a good reminder of those that are a bit more needy.

"It's nice to see a whole lot of businesses getting behind charities like that," he said.

Holland Beckett Lawyers also donated their TECT cheque, The Warehouse Fraser Cove donated some of the proceeds from the sale of plastic bags, tenants of the ANZ building will today see which company managed to donate the most for the appeal, and Molloy's Menswear has donated a number of large Christmas hams to be cut up and handed out.

Since the appeal was launched less than two weeks ago, more than $6000 has been raised. More than 800 items of food have been donated to the appeal, with each item valued at $2. Cash donations of $4528.95 have been dropped off to the foodbank and transferred into the appeal bank account.