Tauranga Community Foodbank general manager Nicki Goodwin's final message to everyone who supported the appeal was: 'You are legends!' Photo / Kaitlyn Morrell
A whopping $247,071.62 worth of food and cash donations has been raised for the Tauranga Community Foodbank in this year’s Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal.
The preliminary tally falls shy of last year’s record-breaking tally, but donations are still to be counted heading into the new year.
Some major business donations capped off the last fortnight of the appeal, and came as the foodbank experienced a continued increase in demand.
The Port of Tauranga donated for the 16th year running, giving $20,000, and Hillsdene Charitable Trust also contributed $20,000.
The six-week appeal, supported by The Hits Bay of Plenty 95.0FM and SunLive, started on November 15 and wraps up today.
However, financial donations can continue to be made via the foodbank’s website, and a final tally will be revealed in the new year.
The appeal aimed to replenish the foodbank’s shelves, offer Christmas treats to people who may otherwise have none and give the foodbank a financial boost coming into the new year.
Last year’s appeal attracted a record-breaking $316,904.17 in donations – $220,586.17 in cash and 32,106 food items valued at $3 each, totalling $96,318.
As of 8am December 23, $160,050.62 in cash donations had been collected this year, plus 29,007 food items, each item valued by the foodbank at $3.
Tauranga Community Foodbank general manager Nicki Goodwin said demand was very much on par with this time last year.
The foodbank had supported more than 1200 households, helping more than 3000 people during this year’s appeal.
She said 2600 people had accessed kai support with donations from this year’s appeal.
Her message to everyone who had supported the appeal was: “You are legends!
“You have made a difference, and we are extremely grateful to you all.
“Tauranga Foodbank is about community first and foremost, and by working together, great things can happen.”
Goodwin said the appeal meant the world to the foodbank team.
“It is exciting seeing the community rally and come in with donations, while also challenging, as we see people needing to get support for a basic need such as food.”
Tauranga Community Foodbank experienced a 145% increase in people requiring a full week of food support since last year, as opposed to four days.
Goodwin said this increase was shocking and concerning.
“Money just doesn’t go as far as it once did, and an unexpected expense or shortfall in income has a much bigger impact.”
She said all cash donations received would buy the foodbank groceries for the first five or six months of 2026.
“What a great way to start the new year, knowing that our shelves will be full, ready to help those whose shelves are empty.”
Tauranga Crossing jumped on board to support the appeal as a drop-off donation point and ran a Trees for Charity initiative, donating 30 trees to families supported by the foodbank.
Its full donation was not yet complete, with donations from a gift-wrapping service still being collected.
Senior marketing manager Lana Stretton said the community’s generosity this year had been incredible.
“The collection has exceeded our expectations, and we’ve noticed an increase in donations compared to last year.”
She said initiatives like the Christmas Appeal played a “vital role” in supporting families and individuals facing hardship.
“Beyond the material donations, these initiatives foster a sense of unity, compassion and collective responsibility, which we think are essential for a strong and caring community.”
Tauranga City Libraries were again drop-off points for non-perishable foods.
Tauranga City Council regulatory and community services, Sarah Omundsen, said donating to the foodbank has been on the minds of library visitors.
“All four locations have been overflowing with food donations.”
She said the generosity this year had been exceptional.
“It’s not just about donations; it’s about showing that we care for each other.”
EVES Bay of Plenty jumped on board with support, running a food collection across its Tauranga and Western Bay branches from November 21-December 12.
Head of marketing and communications, Tanya Collet, said supporting the Tauranga Community Foodbank “genuinely mattered” to the team.
“We’re firm believers in giving back to the communities we operate in, and the foodbank plays such a vital role in supporting local whānau during times of need.”
The 2025 appeal saw many other significant cash donations roll in from Tauranga organisations, including $3000 from Craigs Investment Partners, $3000 from Sunrise Lions of Tauranga, and $1000 from law firm Holland Beckett.
Individuals backing the appeal included Louise “Boss Lady” Watson, whose annual food drive collected hundreds of items, and Profiles Gym Greerton launched its own collection.
The Hits teamed up with Ingham Tauranga by completing daily pick-ups that the food bank would normally make.
Tauranga promotions manager Aidan Shirtcliff said more than 500 food items were collected and delivered.
“Being able to support such an important cause in our community was a no-brainer.
“Always give back when you can.”
Bay of Plenty Times editor Kim Gillespie said everyone who had supported the appeal had helped make a huge difference.
“Huge thanks to everyone who donated.”
Financial donations can be made by visiting the foodbank’s website, taurangafoodbank.co.nz, or direct to its bank account: 03-0435-0482117-00.
Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.