After two weeks of an impromptu appeal following Tauranga foodbank's urgent SOS for help, more than $8000 and 5000 food items have been donated.
Bare shelves have been topped up with cans and basic food items. The foodbank is also now better equipped to face the $20,000 rent bill due this year.
They have received $8197 in cash donations and 5114 food items.
The first of many, the foodbank hosted a thank-you evening to show supporters and donors what exactly the foodbank did on a day-to-day basis.
"We want to show our generous supporters where their money and food goes," manager Nicki Goodwin said.
Supporters from ITM, Westpac bank, PowerCo, and First Mortgage Trust got a behind the scenes look at the foodbank on Thursday night, even making up a food parcel themselves.
It showed donors the value of donations and how a little bit went a long way to help people in dire situations.
Morris Cowling from ITM said walking in and handing over a cheque or food you did not see the work going on in the backroom.
He said making up a food parcel showed him how the system worked and the effort that goes on at the receiving end of the donations.
Westpac Tauranga bank manager Steve Boocock brought with him a cheque for $742.
Instead of secret Santa at Christmas time, his staff donated money to the foodbank and Westpac matched it dollar for dollar.
"I got a reindeer that pooped chocolate raisins one year - how many of those does one person need? I think the staff were happy to donate money instead of getting presents," Mr Boocock said.
Seeing the backroom of the foodbank Mr Boocock was amazed at how organised it was - "though they have been doing it for 27 years so they've got it down to a fine art".
Donation collections would continue through April with several new collection points set up around town.
Bayfair Shopping Centre was now a drop-off point for locals to bring in canned food items to the customer services desk. Bayfair would be matching each donation with $1 to help the foodbank further stockpile money and food into winter.
Eves Realty and LJ Hooker offices have also offered to be food donation collection points in Tauranga, Mount and Papamoa.
How you can help
Bring donations of non-perishable food or cash to the Bay of Plenty Times office at 405 Cameron Rd between 8.30am and 5pm or to the Tauranga Community Foodbank at Unit G, 4 Brook St by Fraser Cove.