Christmas Appeal: Donations to Tauranga Community Foodbank top $208,000 after major donation boosts

Foodbank general manager Nicki Goodwin, warehouse manager Jordy Gastmeier, and Xena the chief wellness officer. Photo / Alex Cairns

The Tauranga Community Foodbank has received an extra push after a successful week of significant donations.

Two major donations of a combined $40,000 have been made and come at the end of the fifth week of the Bay of Plenty Times’ six-week annual Christmas Appeal for the foodbank.

As of 8am on Friday, the foodbank had received $208,750. Of that sum, $133,783 were cash donations – more than last year – and 24,989 were food items valued at $3 each.

At the same time last year, $195,498 had been raised.

The fifth week of the appeal saw a big jump from last week, when the total cash and food donations stood at $145,437.

Tauranga Community Foodbank general manager Nicki Goodwin said the foodbank was “so very close” to its appeal goal.

“I am sure with a little extra push, we will reach it.”

She said community engagement and support during the appeal was “so high”.

“We have had the opportunity to meet new people both as donors and those needing our help.”

Goodwin said the foodbank thrived on building relationships and was grateful to every single person who had participated so far in the appeal.

“I truly think that we live in a uniquely generous city.”

Two significant donations were made during week five of the appeal.

Hillsdene Charitable Trust donated $20,000, and the Port of Tauranga also donated $20,000, marking its 16th year of support.

Port chief executive Leonard Sampson told the Bay of Plenty Times the port’s ongoing support for the foodbank had been a tradition for a “wee while”.

(From left) Tauranga Community Foodbank general manager Nicki Goodwin, chairman Simon Beaton, Port of Tauranga chief executive Leonard Sampson, foodbank food support manager Jessica Stewart and warehouse manager Jordy Gastmeier. Photo / Kaitlyn Morrell

He said now more than ever, there was a real need for the foodbank in the community.

“It’s [the foodbank] part of the fabric of all well-run or well-functioning societies, and I think it’s got an important part to play, even more so in difficult times.”

This year, Tauranga Community Foodbank has supported 23,618 people and distributed 9520 kai packages.

This included more than 11,000 children, and 27% of the people supported had never used the service before.

As of December 19, more than 2600 people had accessed kai support through Tauranga Community Foodbank from donations during this year’s appeal.

Heading into the final week of the appeal, the foodbank team noticed a lot of people shopping from their Christmas wishlist and thanked everyone for their efforts.

Christmas Appeal donation wishlist 2025

• Cereals
• Spreads
• Tinned fish
• Muesli bars
• Cocoa and icing sugar
• Coffee and drinking chocolate
• Deodorant
• Christmas treats

Any items are welcome, even if they’re not on the list.

Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.