Sirens signal food bank appeal is fast approaching

KEEP IT COMING: Masterton Food Bank co-ordinator Maureen Potts said supplies are running low due to a massive increase in food parcels given out.

If you hear the wail of a police siren in your area next Wednesday evening, step outside: with some tinned fruit, dried pasta and soup.

The annual Wairarapa Food Bank Appeal will kick off on November 20, with volunteers travelling through the region, on wheels and on foot, collecting donated items for the district's food banks.

Appeal co-ordinator Russell Carthew is busy mobilising volunteers for the Masterton food drive, who will be accompanied by either a police car, fire truck or ambulance - which will loudly announce the presence of collectors in the area.

"They just provide the noise," said Mr Carthew, of Masterton South Rotary.

"We follow along behind in the car. People hear the sirens and bring their cans to the gate.

"So, if you hear the fire engines on Wednesday night, bring us your food."

The food bank appeal, which began 13 years ago as a partnership between Masterton South Rotary and the Masterton Fire Service, is now a Wairarapa-wide initiative, supported by rotary groups and emergency services all over the region.

Mr Carthew said the appeal received an "amazing" response from the public, who regularly come out of their houses with armloads of baked beans, cereal, noodles and tea and coffee.

"Usually, after an appeal, the food bank is absolutely bulging," he said.

"People are very generous. One year, we saw this young guy come out of his house with a whole carton of food. He told us, 'I was a recipient of the food bank last year. So now, it's payback time.'

"People see there's a real need in the community. We can't let our children go hungry."

Masterton Food Bank co-ordinator Maureen Potts is hopeful the community gives generously this year - with at least 160 food parcels given out each month, supplies are running low.

"The cupboards are pretty bare at the moment," she said.

"We've had a big, big increase in food parcels this year.

"We were giving out about 125 parcels a month beforehand - but we gave out 200 a few months back. That was our busiest time."

She said the annual appeal usually yielded a three-month supply for the food bank.

"Times are tough out there. We appreciate anything we're offered."

Mr Carthew expects around 100 volunteers will help with the Masterton appeal, both collecting food and packaging it to be delivered to the food bank.

Participants are usually Rotarians, food bank volunteers and boarders at Wairarapa College.

"All these people are giving up their time," he said.

"The emergency services give us their vehicles for free. The food bank volunteers are mostly retired people, who are getting on a bit in years, but they turn up every year and help package food.

"And the young ones from WaiCol enjoy it. It's good for them to get out of their hostel for a couple of hours."

Volunteers will be collecting food throughout Wairarapa from 5.30pm on Wednesday, November 20.

Please donate non-perishable items, such as tinned or dried food.

If your area is missed by collectors, you can deliver it to your local fire station or library for collection.