The Bay of Plenty Times has launched its annual Christmas Appeal supporting the Tauranga Community Foodbank.
The Tauranga Community Foodbank has received “substantial support” with another successful week of donations as the foodbank gets busier with more people needing kai support.
As of 8am on Friday, the foodbank had received $195,498.44. Of that sum, $130,356.44 are cash donations – more than last year – and 21,714 are food items valued at $3 each.
The fifth week of the appeal saw a big jump from last week when the total cash and food donations stood at $110,283.49.
Nicki Goodwin, Tauranga Community Foodbank general manager, said it’s been a wonderful week at the foodbank with lots of people sharing what they could to help others.
“It has been super busy with a lot of new people needing support with kai. 20% more this week than the same time last year.
“We appreciate the patience shown by people who are needing to use our service. Our volunteers are working so hard and really appreciate the kindness being shown back to them.”
Nicki Goodwin with warehouse manager Jordy Gastmeier and Xena the chief wellness officer, who keeps the troops motivated. Photo / Alex Cairns
Goodwin said that during the second-to-last week of the appeal the foodbank received “a generous donation” of Christmas goodies, ready-made meals for people unable to cook, and a donation that would help the foodbank with growing its own vegetables.
“We have had so many regular donors and lots of new people showing support,” Goodwin said.
Two Tauranga law firms made significant donations. Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga continued their generous tradition, contributing for the 12th year with their annual food drive and a cash donation of $5000. Holland Beckett staff voted to donate their staff contribution of $1000.
Kay George, marketing manager at Cooney Lees Morgan, said Christmas is a special time when everyone should be able to gather with their family and have some treats.
“We know that the Tauranga Community Foodbank has been around for a long time and is one of those charities that services the community right at the heart of where it is needed,” George said.
Hillsdene Charitable Trust also showed their support again this year with a “wonderful contribution” according to Goodwin.
Tauranga Community Foodbank volunteers Matt Semple and Nic Howitt collect donations from Cooney Lees Morgan.
Olive Tree Catering discovered they had excess frozen family meals and have decided to drop these off for the foodbank to distribute.
The Tauranga Lions Club have sold Christmas cakes and all proceeds were donated to the foodbank. The Sunrise Lions Club also contributed and has been selling firewood throughout the year, raising funds which have been donated during the appeal.
Heading into the final week of the appeal, the foodbank team noticed a lot of people shopping from their Christmas wishlist and thanked everyone for their efforts.
Tauranga Community Foodbank Wish List 2024
Cereal
Christmas treats
Spreads
Tinned soup
Drinking chocolate
Instant coffee
Canned fruit
Muesli bars
Tinned fish
Any items are welcome, even if they’re not on the list, and cash donations are also welcome.
Kaitlyn Morrell is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.
