Christmas Appeal: EVES real estate puts the hammer down with support for Tauranga Community Foodbank

The EVES Cameron Rd team are among the real estate company's branches that have been collecting donations for the Tauranga Community Foodbank.

A Bay of Plenty real estate company has rallied together to support the annual Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal.

EVES Bay of Plenty staff, clients and residents came together to help restock the Tauranga Community Foodbank ahead of the busy holiday season.

Head of marketing and communications Tanya Collet said the appeal was “a simple way we can make a meaningful difference”.

EVES ran a collection across its Tauranga and Western Bay branches from November 21 to December 12.

It came as the Bay of Plenty Times’ six-week annual Christmas Appeal, supported by The Hits Bay of Plenty 95.0FM and SunLive, heads into its final week.

The appeal aims to replenish the foodbank’s shelves, offering Christmas treats for people who may otherwise have none and to boost the foodbank into the new year.

Collet said supporting the Tauranga Community Foodbank “genuinely mattered” to the team.

“We’re firm believers in giving back to the communities we operate in, and the foodbank plays such a vital role in supporting local whānau during times of need.”

EVES branches, including Whakatāne, Omokoroa, Bethlehem, Cherrywood, Cameron Rd, The Lakes, Mount Maunganui, and Papamoa, collected non-perishable food items and toiletries.

The community, EVES clients, and anyone visiting the branches were invited to join in supporting the collection.

The EVES Whakatāne team with a trolley full of donations.

“Every year, we’re blown away by how our teams and the community rally, and this year has been no exception,” Collet said.

She said the collection was “far more” than a donation drive.

“It’s a chance to come together, make a meaningful contribution, and show the community that we’re here to help in tangible ways.”

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

The foodbank estimated 30% of the groceries it distributed had been donated.

Collet said EVES had “tonnes” of donations come through with everything from pantry staples to Christmas treats.

“It’s a simple way we can make a meaningful difference, and we see it as part of our responsibility to support the well-being of the communities we serve.”

Four weeks into the appeal, Tauranga Community Foodbank had received 18,367 food items valued at $3 each.

This totals to $55,101 worth of food.

Tauranga Community Foodbank general manager Nicki Goodwin. Photo / Kaitlyn Morrell

Tauranga Community Foodbank general manager Nicki Goodwin said EVES was a “neat” company.

“Organising and encouraging their local offices to collect on behalf of the community is a great way to build giving into their everyday operations.

“It’s all about everyone doing a bit to achieve a lot.”

Donations of food and funds for the Christmas Appeal will be collected until Christmas Eve.

Food donations can be made at libraries, Tauranga Crossing or the foodbank depot on Brook St, and money can be donated via taurangafoodbank.co.nz.

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