A Papamoa bar manager decided to do her part to help the less fortunate when she read of a regular customer's efforts.
Rain Bar duty manager Sarah Gibson saw a photo of Tauranga Community Foodbank volunteer Rob Clark in the newspaper and was inspired to contribute to the Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal.
"I do always like being able to help people," the 22-year-old said.
"When I saw Rob in the paper it just stuck out to me and I read the article and it really brought home that it could happen to anyone, those situations, and I could do something to help."
Miss Gibson saw Mr Clark walking into the bar one Friday while she was on her break and decided to run across to the supermarket to buy a box of food to donate.
"It's not really much for me to do that considering what it's worth to other people."
Mr Clark said he was caught off guard by Miss Gibson's donation.
"I was a little bit embarrassed when she brought the box over. It was a Friday and it was quite busy and some of my mates were starting to show up," he said.
She handed over the food in a beer box, which attracted plenty of attention, Mr Clark said.
"The appeal that the newspaper is doing is really raising awareness," he said.
More than $25,000 in cash and food donations has already been raised.