Community praised for giving spirit

The community is being praised following an overwhelming response to the Rotorua Daily Post and The Hits Food Drive for the Salvation Army.

Volunteers worked into the early hours of Tuesday morning and throughout the day to count the items collected after Monday's event, which saw dozens of volunteers hit the streets in three Rotorua suburbs to collect cans and other non-perishable food items.

A whopping 5777 items were collected across Ngongotaha, Western Heights and Springfield, surpassing last year's total of 5556 items and making it one of the most successful local food drives to date.

Western Heights donated the most cans, with 2297 items collected. Ngongotaha closely followed with 1892 items and Springfield collectors received 1588 items. More than $200 cash was also donated on the night.

Salvation Army Captain Amanda Martin said she was overwhelmed by the response.

" Even those people who might not have a lot, they still find something to give. That just goes to show what a wonderful and kind community we live in."

She said it meant so much to have people donate goods or give their time to help collect items.

Dozens of eager volunteers, some from the Rotorua Daily Post, The Hits and the Salvation Army, put on their walking shoes and spent hours collecting goods on the humid Monday night, with staff from Smith City and Ritchies Coachlines providing vehicles to load food onto.

A group of students from Australia in the country on a youth programme also got involved along with councillors, including deputy mayor Dave Donaldson and mayor Steve Chadwick.

The Ngongotaha Volunteer Fire Brigade, Lake Okareka Rural Fire Force, The Rotorua Fire Service and Rotorua Operation Support Unit and the Sulphur City Motorcycle Club also joined the effort.

Salvation Army volunteer Larnie Murphy has been busy counting and sorted the food donated.

"I get a kick of seeing peoples' faces when they get the hampers, some of them get tears in their eyes and then I say 'no you're going to make me cry now'."