Foodbank chairman Mike Baker said he was amazed by the result.
"I remain astounded at the generosity of the community with both individuals and a large number of companies having supported this appeal. On behalf of the foodbank and the people that we support I would like to say an enormous thank you," he said.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to wish the community all the best for the forthcoming festive season and for 2014. Your support has ensured that the food bank will be in a good position to help the most vulnerable into the future."
The fact the appeal was the biggest yet proved the community saw the food bank as a worthy recipient of the annual appeal, he said.
"It is really attributable to the profile you people have been so good at providing us," he said.
Mr Baker said this year's appeal brought in more cash but fewer items than last year which worked out for the best.
"Maybe this is a sign that the economy is improving."
All donations were greatly appreciated but the advantage of cash was that the foodbank could buy items in bulk at a cheaper price and could claim back the GST, he said.
Foodbank administrator Nicki Goodwin was also blown away by the response.
Long-time volunteers told her they had never seen anything like it, she said.
"It means everything. It means that we can start the year without concerns about how we are going to meet people's needs. We can just get on with it."
The flood of donations also meant they could reconsider what would go into the food parcels next year, she said.
Demand for food parcels during 2013 was on par with 2012 with between 25 and 30 handed out each day.
As was usual for this time of the year demand had increased to an average of about 40 each day during the last couple of weeks with 57 parcels handed out on Wednesday alone.
