Christmas Appeal: Westpac collects items for Foodbank

Westpac Bank manager Melanie Black. Photo / Andrew Warner

Tauranga Westpac branches are taking in more than money, after opening their doors to donations for the Tauranga Community Foodbank.

The banks have been a drop-off centre for the Foodbank where people can donate non-perishable items.

Westpac Bank manager Melanie Black said it was her first year organising the collections, and she was looking forward to helping the Foodbank.

"We definitely want to support people who may not have the same experiences around Christmas," Ms Black said.

She had been working with the Foodbank and had realised the different experiences some people have over the Christmas period.

"It makes you realise there are a lot of homeless people, and people under major hardship in Tauranga," Ms Black said.

Westpac has been participating in the Christmas Appeal since it began.

Ms Black said it was important to her to keep the food drive going at Westpac.

"We're big on community, it's in line with our values."

They have collected everything from biscuits to canned rice, but Ms Black said they will take "whatever we can get".

The branches have been in communication with what they have collected, and are hoping to bring in a large haul.

"The public just come in daily to drop it off," she said.

Ms Black was hoping to bring in more food before Christmas, for people who needed extra help over the festive season. Westpac had other surprises in store for the Foodbank, but were keeping it under wraps.

Award

Westpac New Zealand was recently named the Diversity Leader of the Year at the Deloitte Top 200 Awards. The awards were assessed on their commitment to promoting diversity, including on issues beyond gender, with Air New Zealand and ANZ in the top three.