Plunket was one of the foodbank’s referral partners and staff referred people for grocery support, which often included items for babies and young children, and the referrals were up 13 per cent on last year.
She said an increasing number of families were needing support this year compared with previous years, with “very little money left for food” after paying rent and bills.
“There is no let-up, families are doing it tough in the lead-up to Christmas,” she said.
“We are truly grateful for the Tauranga Community Foodbank and those who give generously so we can pay it forward to the families we support raising the next generation.”
Foodbank manager Nicki Goodwin said the circle of support “truly makes my heart sing”.
“This is what community is all about.”
This year has brought “record demand” as the organisation spent an average of $20,012 a month on staple foods, compared with $14,758 a month the year before.
The foodbank hasn’t been able to include snack foods for families such as two-minute noodles, muesli bars, chips or crackers in the average of 33 parcels sent out each day.
Cash donations were also welcomed because they meant the foodbank could buy items when it needed them.
In last year’s six-week appeal, $256,471 was donated — $167,758.84 in cash and $88,712 in food donations, with each item valued at $2.50. It was the highest amount raised in the appeal’s history. The second highest was a total of $254,416, donated in 2020.
- Treats
- Cereal
- Spreads
- Nappies: Sizes 4, 5 and 6
- Drinking chocolate and coffee
- Muesli bars
- Canned fruit
- Tinned fish
Any items are welcome, even if they’re not on the list. Cash donations are also welcome.
Cira Olivier is a social issues and breaking news reporter for NZME Bay of Plenty. She has been a journalist since 2019.
