It took a couple of trips back and forth from the car, but eventually a Christmas tree at the local Salvation Army was surrounded by donations collected by Rotorua MP Todd McClay.
Each year, he collects donations for the Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal from a monthly coffee morning for National Party members and the public, a few small businesses like dairies and superettes, and when shopping at the supermarket himself.
The Christmas Appeal is six weeks long, run in conjunction with the Rotorua Weekender and The Hits Rotorua 97.5FM, and it calls for people to donate what money or food items they can afford to the foodbank for Christmas this year. The appeal finishes on December 23.
Todd said the foodbank was a very worthwhile cause to support, and that the appeal was a way for the Rotorua community to give back.