Christmas appeal: Donating to foodbank is 'future proofing'

What started as an appeal to help others over Christmas may become a year-round drive.

Members of Papamoa Progressive Association, a residents and ratepayers group based in Papamoa, have been bringing in items of food to their meetings for about five weeks.

They collected a good variety of tinned food, rice and pasta that was donated to the Tauranga Community Foodbank on Tuesday.

Chairman Wayne George said the association drew its members together and asked them to bring a donation of non-perishable food to meetings.

He believed this was the first time the association had taken part in a collection for the foodbank.

"It's an initiative I decided to generate as the chair. I'm involved in a number of organisations around the Bay of Plenty and my thinking is, I'm a future proofing-type person. Who knows what could happen in the future, I might need the foodbank's help.

"I think everyone should help out the foodbank, they do an amazing job."

Mr George said he hoped the association would do the same thing next year, but not just at Christmas.

"I have spoken to the committee members about doing something throughout the year.

"That would possibly make it easier to manage for everybody. Spread throughout the year, maybe our small amount of donations can help the less fortunate."