Christmas Appeal: Port of Tauranga donates $20,000 to Tauranga Community Foodbank

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

A “substantial” amount of money has been donated to the Tauranga Community Foodbank by a major Tauranga business.

“I can feel tears welling up in the back of my eyes,” Tauranga Community Foodbank’s general manager Nicki Goodwin said when she received the donation.

The Port of Tauranga donated $20,000 to the foodbank, marking its 16th year of support.

The donation came during the fifth week of the Bay of Plenty Times Christmas appeal.

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”.

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

“If you look at the current challenges, from a cost-of-living perspective and general economies, it is challenging.”

According to Stats NZ, the cost of living for all households increased by 2.4% in the 12 months to September.

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

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

Sampson said the Port of Tauranga was “very keen” to play a part in supporting those less fortunate.

Foodbank chairman Simon Beaton receiving a donation from Port of Tauranga chief executive Leonard Sampson during last year's appeal. Photo / Kaitlyn Morrell

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

Foodbank chairman Simon Beaton said the foodbank had been “frenetic” during December.

“It is building up because we’re trying to get stuff out there for Christmas.”

He said on Wednesday, the foodbank assisted 61 families, which was twice last year’s average.

“I was out there doing deliveries yesterday, and that took an hour longer than normal, so it’s very, very busy.”

Beaton said the donation from Port of Tauranga this year was an extraordinary amount of money and “extraordinarily” generous.

“Any money that comes in during this period as donations, 100% of it goes towards food, and $20,000 buys an awful lot of groceries.”

Foodbank general manager Nicki Goodwin said the ongoing donations gave the foodbank a “surety” there would be support coming in each year.

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

“It’s not a matter of being reliant on it; it’s a matter of being grateful to know that support is coming the way of the community.”

She said the donation would result in an “awful lot” of people being fed and relieve pressure on the foodbank in the coming months.

“That’s a substantial amount of money to support the community, and it’s really nice that they’re [the port] in a position to do that and realise how far that money will go.”

All financial donations received during the six-week appeal are put towards staple foods, and help the foodbank get through the New Year period as well.

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