Keys handed over to new foodbank home

Tauranga Community Foodbank chairman Allen Plunckett (pictured) said the foodbank today received the keys to their new home on Brook St and will open on Monday. Photo/file

The Tauranga Community Foodbank today received the keys to their new home on Brook St and is expected to officially open their doors to the public Monday morning.

Chairman Alan Plunkett was delighted to be given the keys to their new premises, which is located behind Fraser Cove.

He said staff and volunteers would be busy readying the new home over the next couple of days.

Last week, staff and volunteers were forced to vacate their Dive Cres premises, which was contaminated by toxic black mould and asbestos.

The council tested the Dive Cres building on Monday but was still awaiting results, so the foodbank could not retrieve its food stores yet.

Before reopening, the foodbank would need new shelving in its new home and it also faced the task of moving all its equipment and food from Dive Cres.