Collectors swamped for Foodbank appeal

Bay of Plenty Times staff and volunteers got a warm welcome from residents when they visited residents on streets including Greerton Rd, Chadwick Rd, Sherwin St, Manson St, Hynds Rd and Hayes Ave.

Collectors, helped by firefighters from Greerton sounding their sirens, were overwhelmed by the generosity of the community, which saw locals donate shopping bags full of food to the appeal.

One woman who donated said she had been a client of the foodbank from time to time.

"When I'm in credit I try to give back to the foodbank. I'm in credit at the moment so I'm more than happy to give back," she said.

The woman generously gave half a dozen items. Others were waiting with bags of food.

Greerton retiree Pauline Fryer said she was only too happy to donate to the Bay of Plenty Times appeal because donations went to people who really needed help.

"I think if everyone all pulled together and helped out like this, what an amazing difference it could make across our whole community."

The total number of cans and other food items will be counted today and announced in tomorrow's edition of the Bay of Plenty Times.

Foodbank chairman Mike Baker, who drove the foodbank van and picked up donations from the collectors last night, said the can drive, and others planned, would provide a welcome boost to foodbank shelves.

The Bay of Plenty Times has invited businesses and schools to support the Christmas Appeal by holding their own can collections for the foodbank.

So far a number of schools have committed to the cause, including Greerton Village School, Aquinas College, St Mary's Catholic School, Tahatai Coast School and Tauriko School.

Tauranga law firms Holland Beckett and Cooney Lees Morgan have pledged to donate food items to the foodbank. Service clubs around the Bay are also hosting their own can drives and fundraising initiatives, including Mount Maunganui RSA, which has donated $1000.

Tauranga Boys' College students collect thousands of items for the foodbank during their annual appeal each August.

If your school or business would like to support the Bay of Plenty Times 2012 Christmas Appeal call 0800 253 253 or email news@bayofplentytimes.co.nz

Two further can drives are planned for other suburbs.

Details for the next one will be published later this week.