Westpac gives Foodbank something to bank on

Tauranga centre Westpac Bank branch manager Julia Third is encouraging customers to bring in items of food to donate to the Tauranga Community Foodbank. Photo/John Borren

A Tauranga business is putting out a challenge for its customers to donate food to support the Tauranga Community Foodbank through the winter.

Tauranga centre Westpac Bank branch manager Julia Third said each of the branches in Tauranga would have baskets out from next week to encourage people to help those in need.

"It's making sure we do look after everybody in the community," she said. "We do need to think about making sure we replenish stocks in the middle of the year when things are quite dry."

Ms Third was also looking to encourage people to steer clear of donating baked beans and spaghetti.

"Often people donate cans but think about things that people could make a meal from," she said. "Sometimes getting those frozen meals together can be useful."

Foodbank chairman Alan Plunkett said the donations that flooded in during the Bay of Plenty Times Christmas appeal had been largely been used up so new donations were more than welcome. "Anything is a major plus for us. The fact that someone like a bank is coming on board and offering to do this for us not within the Christmas rush is great," he said.

The foodbank was short of soup mix, stock powder, toothpaste, deodorant and nappies for children older than newborns. The campaign kicks off on Monday and runs for two weeks.

Amy McGillivray