Warehouse donates $600 to Foodbank

Tina Derecourt is 42 and has worked at the foodbank for 13 years. Tina loves everything about working there.

The purchase of thousands of plastic bags has given the Tauranga Community Foodbank a $600 boost.

The Warehouse Fraser Cove raised $623.90 for the foodbank through the sale of plastic bags for 10 cents each and has donated it as part of the 2014 Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal.

The Warehouse Fraser Cove store manager Duncan Gardiner said the foodbank was one of three local charities the store had fundraised for during the past six months.

Customers were able to vote for their favourite of the three charities and the money raised through the sale of plastic bags was split accordingly.

"That's only one of three charities that got money. That's a lot of plastic bags."

The charities chosen were always local and supported families in the community.

Mr Gardiner said he was thrilled to be able to make a donation to such a worthy cause.

"The volunteers all run it and it's a charity that's always needed. Ultimately, it just couldn't go to a better cause. Often the best people can become in need and when you've got something that can help out the public, it's a great thing.

"It's nice to be able to give some thing back to the community as well," he said.

Since the appeal was launched less than two weeks ago, more than $5600 has been raised. More than 800 items of food have been donated to the appeal, with each item valued at $2. Cash donations of $4015.95 have been dropped off to the foodbank and transferred into the appeal bank account.