Thank you, Rotorua.
You have donated more than $50,000 worth of cash and food to The Daily Post Christmas Appeal for the Salvation Army foodbank.
As a result, the Salvation Army has been busy this week giving out Christmas cheer hampers to 300 families plus 738 toys to children.
The organisation is expecting to help a further 200 families over the holiday period.
The money and food donated to the appeal has been used by the Salvation Army to make up the hampers which are worth $80 to $160 each.
Salvation Army Community Ministries Manager Rob Gardiner said he was overwhelmed by Rotorua's response to the appeal.
He said the amount raised was four times more than the Army was expecting given a national Salvation Army policy to no longer rely on funding from pub charities.
"We are just absolutely astounded at the generosity of Rotorua especially at this time when there is a lot of stress on people's finances," Mr Gardiner said.
He also commended The Daily Post staff for their efforts.
"We wouldn't have been as well supported if The Daily Post hadn't taken us on as the charity. We are grateful to The Daily Post and for the support of their staff."
Mr Gardiner said one woman who went to pick up her hamper on Monday was crying.
"She was so thankful that she had received help because of the generosity of the Salvation Army. That generosity has been passed on to us by the goodwill of the people of Rotorua ... It's certainly a heartfelt thanks from us," Mr Gardiner said.
Editor of The Daily Post, Scott Inglis, said he was also delighted by the generosity Rotorua people had shown over the past few weeks.
"We chose the Salvation Army's foodbank because it was a very worthy cause given the tough year many families have had," he said.
"The support locals have shown has been outstanding and certainly exceeded our expectations. There are so many wonderful, generous people in this city."
The appeal was boosted yesterday with a $1000 donation from a Rotorua man who wanted to remain anonymous. He said he gave the money as he felt "it was the right thing to do" and he thought the Salvation Army did an "amazing" job for people in need.
On top of the $50,000 raised for the appeal, the Salvation Army's national office will also provide $10,000.
More than 10 volunteers, including some children, spent Monday and yesterday at the Salvation Army church handing out food hampers.
Among them was 11-year-old Savanna Goncalves. She gave out lollypops to all the children who came with their parents to collect hampers and said it was a good feeling helping people.
"I'd just like to say thanks to the Salvation Army for all their hard work for people who don't have much food," she said.
WHO BENEFITS? A solo mother who has four children aged between 2 and 15. She works part-time but has not had much work lately.
A couple with two young children. The husband works but the family is struggling to make ends meet.
A couple who both have Parkinson's Disease and are on the invalids' benefit. They struggle to pay for any of the extras at Christmas.
A couple with five children who have been helped by the Salvation Army after having their power disconnected earlier in the year.
WHO BENEFITS? A solo mother who has four children aged between 2 and 15. She works part-time but has not had much work lately.
A couple with two young children. The husband works but the family is struggling to make ends meet.
A couple who both have Parkinson's Disease and are on the invalids' benefit. They struggle to pay for any of the extras at Christmas.
A couple with five children who have been helped by the Salvation Army after having their power disconnected earlier in the year.
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