"Donations at the drop-in service we can give out to those in need immediately, some we put into crisis care parcels and we can also use some in the breakfast and dinner service."
As parts of the Auckland region head into a third day without power this evening, Auckland Council is recommending residents play it safe with their food.
People should keep the fridge and freezer closed to keep food as chilled as possible.
Throw away any frozen food that has been exposed to temperatures above 4C for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odour, colour or texture.
If food in the freezer is colder than 4C and has ice crystals on it, it can be refrozen.
Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) medical officer Dr David Sinclair advised people without power to follow guidelines around food spoilage to avoid food poisoning.
"After today, highly perishable foods in the fridge like meat and fish may not be safe to eat," he said.
Sinclair's advice:
• Throw out rotten or contaminated food quickly so it doesn't spoil other food in the fridge.
• You can still eat food like raw vegetables, cheese and bread.
• Dispose of any food from the freezer which has thawed out and been at room temperature for longer than two hours.
• When the power comes back on, it is important not to refreeze food that has defrosted.
• If the frozen food has ice crystals and the packaging is intact then it can be refrozen.
"And if you are unsure, have a closer look and smell. If the colour has changed, it has a slimy texture or if it smells off, it probably is off.
"If you eat food that has gone off, you can risk infection from salmonella, campylobacter and a range of food poisoning bacteria."
