Record donations for Christmas Appeal

Rotorua collected an amazing $76,300 for the Christmas Appeal this year. Photo/Ben Fraser.

Rotorua residents have shown their generosity by almost doubling the amount of money collected for this year's Rotorua Daily Post Salvation Army Christmas Foodbank Appeal.

Salvation Army captain Amanda Martin said the record amount was a sign the city wanted to shake off any negative images surrounding it.

The final amount collected from food and money donations to the appeal came to more than $76,300 - almost double last year's record amount of $38,500 - when tallied yesterday.

From the total amount around $27,000 worth of food items, and $25,600 in cash or cheques was received through the Rotorua Daily Post front office.

As well, around $21,680 worth of food and money was donated to the appeal direct to the Salvation Army Communities Ministry House at Haupapa St.

A $1000 donation from Te Puia, $800 of anonymous donations, and boxes of food items from Netball Rotorua and other donors received after the midday cut-off boosted the final tally.

The response had been "overwhelming ... it's unbelievable", Ms Martin said.

Salvation Army staff helped distribute Christmas hampers stuffed with treats and fresh produce to families yesterday.

They were destined for people who had kept to budgeting advice throughout the year and made attempts to help themselves, Ms Martin said.

"We could give out 300 hampers but we choose to help those who are trying to help themselves."

"It is an emotional feeling," she said.

Ms Martin said the appeal had brought the community together.

"It has showed a united Christmas spirit."

More organisations and businesses participated than in previous years, she said.

There was also a wide range of people donating - from elderly people, school children and unemployed.

A burglary during the second week struck a "nerve" and motivated more people to come forward and donate, said Ms Martin.

"People thought 'what a terrible thing to happen' - to steal from those who most need it, and it obviously became a topic of discussion around the breakfast table.

"I think people were fed up with the negative image the city gets and wanted to do something about it and show there is a lot of good things here.

"It became a challenge to show what Rotorua was made of."

Rotorua mother Juliet with daughter Bailey received a Salvation Army Christmas food hamper for the first time.

Mother of five, Juliet, collected her hamper with daughter Bailey, 9.

"It's the first time I have done this and it gives me quite a buzz," she said.

She received a Salvation Army food parcel four months ago.

After paying rent and power there was $70 left from her benefit for food for the week, she said.

"This [hamper] just gives us a little bit more extra for Christmas Day that we could not get ourselves."

In the past she had given to the foodbank herself, said Juliet.