Tis the season to donate canned goods for foodbank

By Wednesday night 83 items had been received as a direct result of the appeal. Photo / APN

The Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal has already raised more than $2200 for the Tauranga Community Foodbank and will kick up a notch with the first of three can drives next week.

Foodbank chairman Mike Baker said that by Wednesday night 83 items had been received as a direct result of the appeal, less than a week into the campaign. Each item is being valued at $1.50.

Cash donations, including $1000 each from the Bay of Plenty Times and Legacy Funerals, has brought the total raised to $2271.

Greenpark School and the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce have now thrown their weight behind the appeal, adding to the growing list of supporters. Greenpark School will have a donation box in the office and the chamber will be taking up a collection around its building with a focus on personal hygiene products.

Te Puke College will take up a collection for the Te Puke Foodbank.

On Tuesday, Bay of Plenty Times staff members and their families, wearing blue Bay of Plenty Times T-shirts, will knock on doors around Concord Ave in Arataki, seeking donations for the foodbank.

All non-perishable food, personal hygiene items and baby products will be gladly received.

The team will hit the streets between 5pm and 6.30pm.

Can drives will also be held in Otumoetai on December 4 and in Greerton on December 12.

More than $120,000 in food and donations has been donated to Tauranga Foodbank during the past two Christmas appeals. A total of $67,008 was raised last year and $53,169.57 in 2011.