Volunteer down to earth and caring

Robbie McGruer is the Tauranga Community Foodbank's longest serving volunteer. Photo / John Borren

If you have visited the Tauranga Community Foodbank, chances are you have been greeted by the smiling face of Robert McGruer.

Known to everyone as Robbie, Mr McGruer has been at the foodbank since it opened almost three decades ago.

He is the longest serving foodbank volunteer and his service was recognised at a special lunch yesterday.

Mr McGruer spent a lot of his time at the foodbank in between picking kiwifruit and was often seen there daily during the off season - driving all the way from Katikati to volunteer.

"I just wanted to come in and help for something to do."

Mr McGruer mostly helps in reception, greeting people as they come in and bringing food inside the building.

He has stuck around at the foodbank for such a long time, not only because it gives him something to do, but because he loves the job and the people he works with.

"I like how friendly everyone is. I enjoy the job and I enjoy the people. I've met so many different faces, some of the other volunteers have been here ages as well.

"I like seeing the people that come in because they like to have a chat.

"And it makes me feel good because I'm helping people."

Tauranga Community Foodbank manager Nicki Goodwin said Mr McGruer did a great job on reception and he was "very down to earth and caring".

"He turns up and volunteers whenever he can. Sometimes he can be here for weeks, other times a day here or there when he's got time. He really enjoys working with the public."

Mrs Goodwin said they had a lot of laughs and Mr McGruer was "really good to tease".

"He's a character. He's joyful, helpful, funny. He's not here for his own purposes."