Pāpāmoa school fills deputy principal's office with food bank donations

Ayla Wild, 8, Marcus Knight, 8, Cooper Holley, 8, Thomas Smith, 11, Stella Chisholm, 10, Alexi Van Dyk, 9, Liam Earp, 9, Ryan Kidd, 9, and deputy principal Darren Scott. Photo/George Novak

Pupils at Tahatai Coast School have filled the deputy principal's office with donated food items to help families in need get through the winter.

Tahatai Coast School deputy principal Darren Scott said the school donated more than 800 items of "all different types" of non-perishable food.

"I could hardly get to my desk," Scott said. "It is a really good reflection of our community."

Scott said the school's student council organised the food bank drive and mufti day to help give back to the community.

"There are people in our community who would be struggling with food, so it is important to give back," he said.

The deputy principal said the school would be making regular food donations to the foodbank from now on.

"We have put a box inside our reception area for people to give an item whenever they can," Scott said.

Tauranga Community Foodbank manager Nicki Goodwin said food donations were vital during the winter months.

"People's power bills have been coming in, so the demand has gone up. It is something that happens every year ... we are very grateful."

Goodwin said the food was picked up from the school on Friday morning.