Christmas Appeal: Tauranga Community Foodbank receives $8000 boost from prominent Tauranga companies

Craigs Investment Partners is one of two prominent local companies to have made big cash donations to the Tauranga Community Foodbank. The other is Cooney Lees Morgan.

Two prominent Tauranga companies have given the Christmas Appeal an early boost with big cash donations to the Tauranga Community Foodbank.

Financial services company Craigs Investment Partners has donated $3000 and legal firm Cooney Lees Morgan gave $5000.

The two companies are regular contributors during the Bay of Plenty Times annual appeal.

This year’s six-week campaign, supported by The Hits Bay of Plenty 95.0FM, started on November 15.

The Craigs donation brought its contribution to the foodbank over the past four years to $17,000.

This year’s donation is part of $200,000 Craigs and its employees will split between 94 charities throughout New Zealand this Christmas.

Now in its sixth year, donations from the Craigs Workplace Giving initiative have exceeded $1 million.

Nearly 300 Craigs employees participated in the initiative, where staff donations were matched up to $500 per employee.

More than $50,000 will be donated to Bay of Plenty community organisations serving areas of poverty, homelessness, mental health and youth and social support services.

Chief executive Simon Tong said it was “rewarding” to see the collective efforts of employees.

“The business is making such a positive impact on charities throughout the country,” Tong said.

The $50,000 will be split between 20 Bay of Plenty charities: Awhina House, Big Buddy, EBOP Community Foundation, Good Neighbour, Grief Support Services, Homes of Hope, Katikati Community Centre, Kura Kai, Live for More, Merivale Community Centre, Orange Sky, Rainbow Youth, SPCA Tauranga, St Peters House, Takitimu House, Tauranga Community Foodbank, The Hub Te Puke, Under the Stars, Victim Support, and Welcome Bay Community Centre.

Tauranga Community Foodbank volunteer Mel Lowe displays the four days’ worth of food provided to a whānau of five.

Donations are held and distributed by community foundation the Acorn Foundation, of which Craigs is a founding partner.

A Craigs spokesperson said that since 2020, the team had consistently chosen Tauranga Community Foodbank, reflecting the “incredible work” the charity does.

“We aim to make a tangible difference, and the foodbank’s work aligns with that goal, especially during times of increased need like in the lead-up to Christmas.”

The foodbank’s ability to respond quickly and provide immediate relief made its role “critical”.

“We hope our contribution, amongst many others, helps to ease the stress of food insecurity, especially during the holiday season.”

The $5000 donation from Cooney Lees Morgan marks the seventh consecutive year the law firm has supported the foodbank with a financial donation.

Tauranga marketing manager Kay George said Cooney Lees Morgan recognised the need for the foodbank as a “mainstay” organisation.

“We are a firm that feels strongly about supporting the local community where needed, and food is a powerful way to bring families together.”

She said that at Christmas time, this was especially important.

“This year has been especially hard with the rise in food prices, and everyday living is just that more difficult for a larger number of families.

“We hope all the donations and support Tauranga Community Foodbank has received this year will bring some relief and happiness to families.”

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

Tauranga Community Foodbank general manager Nicki Goodwin expressed her gratitude for the combined $8000 in donations.

“What absolute legends.”

She said it was reassuring to have the support of local businesses.

“Our community will benefit from their generosity.”

Goodwin said the donations would go directly towards purchasing staple, nutritious food to support more than 41 families.

“We never like to be reliant upon others’ generosity, but knowing that they have the community’s back via the Foodbank Christmas Appeal is very special.”

Kaitlyn Morrell is a multimedia 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.