Christmas a time to give to those less fortunate

Angela Richter-Visser takes it upon herself to go door-to-door every year collecting for the Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal. Photo: Andrew Warner

Every time Christmas rolls around Angela Richter-Visser is compelled to give back to those less fortunate.

For the third year in a row, she and her friends will go door-to-door asking for donations at the Bethlehem Country Club.

Mrs Richter-Visser has sent an email to every resident in the village warning them she will be knocking on doors about 10am on Monday and Thursday asking for donations of non-perishable food for the Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal for the Tauranga Community Foodbank.

"I love collecting for the foodbank. I've done it for three years already. So many people have so much stuff," she said.

"We get a good response. The village is full this year so we'll be hoping for a bumper crop."

Christmas was a time of giving and a time to kindly remember others, she said.

"It's just the need to help those who don't have as much as we have."

CHIPPING IN: Joe Tesoriero has been volunteering at the foodbank for nearly a year. "I like to help people less fortunate than me. I am retired so able to help for two days a week, it doesn't impinge on my normal routine," he said.

So far 4182 items, valued at $2 each, have been collected as well as $16,268.95 in cash bringing it to a total of $24,632.95.

The campaign will run until December 20.

Last year's appeal raised more than $86,000 for the organisation.