Maria Baker, chief executive of Te Rau Ora - which will be running the operation for the mid and Far North, said this year will be the first time packing in Kaikohe and delivering to the Far North area.
She said 140 people had volunteered to help.
"Everybody has just been really wonderful and wanting to get hands-on so whānau can get access to something special over the Christmas period."
Baker said it was particularly important rural whānau did not miss out because the distance between their homes and supermarkets meant extra costs for gas on top of food.
"Hopefully this will add to their pantries. There are some little goodies in there that they possibly wouldn't normally be able to afford within their normal budget."
The recipients of the boxes have been nominated by providers working in the communities.
Baker said the families were not notified beforehand so it's a nice surprise for them.
"There's no expectation people will get things over this time because it's so hard and then when something says 'hey, we've got a little something for your whare and for your whānau' it's really loving and sometimes it's quite tearful."
Te Hau Āwhiowhio ō Otangarei Trust is organising the Whangārei packing and delivery which also happens today.
