A total of 21,000 submissions have been received on the issue - about 12,000 from Trustpower's survey and 9000 who responded to TECT's proposal. Nearly three-quarters of people who answered the survey opposed TECT's plan.
Rogers said the rugby union had a relationship with the St Vincent de Paul Society and they went into homes that had nothing.
People thought Tauranga was a glittering place, but poverty was really prevalent and they dealt with disadvantaged at-risk families on a daily basis, he said.
Bellevue resident Martin Steinmann, a Trustpower customer for 30 years, supported TECT's trustees, saying they were incredibly brave.
''It's nice to have trustees that were looking at the future of the community in the long term, rather than getting re-elected.''
Steinmann said he enjoyed the TECT cheque because it helped pay the bills. And although Tauranga was regarded as a nice place to live, he saw the poverty, the problems caused by drugs and alcohol and how Tauranga had the highest youth suicide rate in the country.
He said TECT's proposal meant there would be a lot more money to invest in the community and it could change the social fabric of the city.
Steinmann said Trustpower was an expensive retailer and it was little wonder the Government was questioning electricity retail rates in New Zealand.
He said he wondered whether Trustpower's campaigning on the TECT cheque issue would backfire.
Ray Banbery, 92, was ''deeply concerned'' that some Trustpower consumers would take the upfront payment of $2500 and five years of cheques.
He described the TECT cheques as a tradition and icon.
''Who among the loyal Trustpower consumers do not enjoy that warm feeling when they receive the cheque. It is partly a loyalty cheque.
Taking the cheque off Trustpower customers would cause them to question their loyalty to Trustpower.
''Loyalty is very important.''
Banbery said that good and decent people he had spoken to had confirmed his sentiments on the matter.
''Plenty of elder people will feel disadvantaged and rather powerless . . . what better charity than the consumers?'' he said.
Western Bay District councillor Margaret Murray-Benge said the $2500 was a bribe. ''You are selling the community short.''
She said she had great respect for what TECT had achieved and saw no reason to change.
TECT chairman Bill Holland told her that it would not be the trustees that made the final decision, it would be the consumers by a referendum. ''It will only happen if the consumers vote for it.''
Verbal submissions continue today from 9am to 5pm in the Village Cinema, Historic Village. Monday from 10am to 4pm was an additional day if needed.
Response to Trustpower's survey on TECT cheques
Submissions: 12,000
Opposed to TECT proposal: 73 per cent
Favoured TECT proposal: 15 per cent
Seeking to change the 80/20 distribution ratio: 12 per cent
Source: Trustpower chief executive Vince Hawksworth