Papamoa College donates 'hundreds' of items to Tauranga foodbank

Papamoa College students Abigail Pieterse, Rebecca Leslie, Josh vanEkeren and Ave Gill with the foodbank collection. Photo / Supplied

Papamoa College students have helped to top up the Tauranga Community Foodbank shelves with "hundreds" of non-perishable food items for people in need.

Maths teacher Kylie Price said a school mufti day collected hundreds of cans and other food items and raised about $300 for the foodbank.

"We set the mindset of bringing more than just one can."

Price said the school usually holds a mufti day fundraiser for the foodbank each year, but the event was brought forward after reading the SOS call in the Bay of Plenty Times.

As the organiser of the school mufti days, Price said she had spoken with students about helping others in need.

"It is more about being aware that we are very fortunate and that not all of us are as fortunate as others.

"Not everyone has a loaf of bread sitting in the freezer that they can pull out when they run out, or has the luxury of a chocolate bar."

Price said school staff also helped to fill a "massive" bucket of food for families in need.

The students planned to hold another mufti day at the end of the year as part of the school's annual fundraiser for the foodbank, Price said.

The school's donation will contribute to the Bay of Plenty Times' SOS appeal which was launched to help restock the Tauranga Community Foodbank's shelves ahead of winter.

So far the SOS appeal has raised $8754.40 in cash donations, and people have donated 6389 food items. The appeal ends on Saturday.

Tauranga Community Foodbank manager Nicki Goodwin was grateful to have been put on Papamoa College's list for support again.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you. It is nice to know the school is supportive of their community. They have a really good culture within their school."