Christmas Appeal: Tauranga Community Foodbank shares donation wishlist

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

“I have no doubt that most people we meet would rather be at a supermarket with funds in their pocket,” Tauranga Community Foodbank general manager Nicki Goodwin says.

For many, however, visiting the foodbank is not a choice, but a necessity.

The foodbank has experienced a surge in demand for extended support this year, with more families needing a full week of groceries than ever before.

The annual six-week Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal launched on Saturday, supporting the foodbank’s work in the community by encouraging people to donate food and money.

Key items on the foodbank’s wishlist this year are cereal, spreads, tinned fish, muesli bars, cocoa and icing sugar, coffee and drinking chocolate, deodorant and, of course, Christmas treats.

Goodwin said the number of people needing a full week of food support, rather than four days, had increased by 145% from last year.

This trend had exacerbated the foodbank’s costs, which have increased 70% since 2022.

Its current monthly food bill is $21,500.

Goodwin said a “great deal of care and effort” went into providing the right grocery support.

“Focus is given to every person on what foods are offered, based on nutrition, culture, health, availability and individual circumstances.”

Cereal, spreads, tinned fish, muesli bars, cocoa, icing sugar and coffee are among the items wanted. Photo / Kaitlyn Morrell

All community cash donations went directly towards purchasing food, especially items the foodbank was not usually able to buy within its tight budget.

“We work super hard to get the very best prices for healthy and nutritious foods.

“We have made it our responsibility to do the very best we can with what our community provides,” Goodwin said.

Last year’s appeal saw a record-breaking $316,904.17 in donations – $220,586.17 in cash and 32,106 food items valued at $3 each, totalling $96,318 worth of food.

The cash donations exceeded the $168,650.90 donated in 2023 by more than $50,000.

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 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.