Salvation Army gets more than $800 worth of food from grocery grab

The Salvation Army scored more than $800 of food for the needy in a 90-second grocery grab at Countdown Regent Whangārei in yesterday. Flour, sugar, rice and tinned goods made up a large chunk of the grabbed groceries that would go towards feeding those in need this winter.

Salvation Army youth social worker Wi Pirihi grabbed the essentials, with a little help from Countdown Regent manager Mark Kippenberger and a Salvation Army support crew cheering them on.

The Salvation Army's Marlene Bowers said the food donated from Countdown via the grocery grab resulted in "big savings" for the organisation.

However, she said it was likely to be a very busy winter for the Sallies, with more families in need of food than ever.

"I believe, based on the rhythm of what's happening, this is going to be our biggest winter ever, certainly one of our biggest winters ever," she said.

The Salvation Army in Whangārei had seen unprecedented demand for food parcels over the first few months of this year.

More than 1000 food parcels were given out between the start of January and the end of May, compared to 500 over the whole of last year.

Nationally, demand for food parcels has risen five per cent, but usually goes up by around six per cent over the winter months.

Although the food rescue campaign had been running for a few years, it was the first time the Regent store had hosted a grocery grab.

Countdown also had an in-store donation bin for anyone passing through its supermarkets.

"I'm emptying that bin several times a week just because of the generosity of our customers," Kippenberger said.

The Salvation Army team and Countdown manager Mark Kippenbeger, centre, with the grabbed groceries. Photo / John Stone

Food placed in the bin would go directly to the Salvation Army to give out to those in need. A website has also been set up to enable easy donations.

"We have a winter bundle at the moment that people can contribute online," Bowers said.

The winter bundle included tinned soup, tinned spaghetti and a whole frozen chicken, and cost $29.68. There were also a number of cheaper parcels that could be donated to needy families.

Bowers said the most-needed items were staples such as rice, flour and tinned goods. Non-food items also in need were sanitary pads, nappies and toilet paper.

Kippenberger said Countdown was happy to host the grocery grab as part of its food rescue programme.

Donations can be made at www.foodbank.org.nz or at Countdown supermarkets.