The ageing membership of the Tauranga Sunrise Lions may no longer be able to go door-to-door collecting for the needy but they have found another way to contribute to the cause.
Tauranga Sunrise Lions president Diane Karl presented all the donations made by their members over the year to foodbank board members this week.
"We feel that we're gold card members now, we can't do the hard yards anymore. We do projects which raise funds which go to the community," she said.
"We've donated $1000 to the foodbank for use where they see it goes best."
Tauranga Foodbank board member Sue van Os was "very, very grateful" for the donation.
"At the moment we will probably use it for buying staples like rice, pasta, tinned food that we don't always have enough of. Those are the things that go into every parcel, so it's great to have money to use where we need it.
"At this time of year we get lots of lovely, lovely things that are luxury items, but actually the basics are really important, because the basics are what we eat every day."
Fellow board member Neil Percival said the donation would be put to good use.
"$1000 buys a lot of stuff," he said.
The donation was presented at the Tauranga City Sunrise Lions' meeting this week.
The group have their meetings around breakfast and raise money throughout the year for local charities and causes.
Can Drive
The next Bay of Plenty Times can drive will take place in Arataki on December 13.
Staff members wearing blue T-shirts and foodbank volunteers will visit houses in the Grenada St area from 5.30pm.
Anyone outside this area wishing to donate can drop donations to a waiting volunteer at Arataki Park at this time.