Warm hearts and blankets for families in need

Registered Nurse for Plunket Rotorua Priya Devi is overwhelmed with the community's generosity. Photo/Stephen Parker

Mounds of blankets, sleeping bags and winter items were collected at the Mokoia Community Centre as Rotorua residents came together to support families in need.

The centre was one of 10 drop-off stations around Rotorua for the charity Love Soup's blanket drive. Mokoia Community Association community-led manager Leigh Richards-Ward said people had been generous and willing to drop off warm items they no longer needed.

"It shows that if we all do a little bit, we can achieve something really great and in this instance, we are making Rotorua homes warmer which is fantastic."

Ms Richards-Ward said the Mokoia Community Association was more than happy to be a drop-off point for Love Soup's blanket drive. "There are some people that need a little hand up and if we can provide assistance, we are always happy to help."

The homeless and families in need could contact Love Soup for help leading up to the distribution. From today until Friday, volunteers will drop the items off to the homes and try to tailor the items to the families' needs.

Love Soup volunteer Natalie Osborn said she was impressed with the number of people happy to volunteer for distribution of the blankets. "We are really grateful of all the communities who have banded together to help those in need. Without the volunteers, venues and the willing hearts donating their blankets, sleeping bags, hats, gloves and scarves, we wouldn't be able to do this."

"I feel sad when I think about families who have to live in cold houses during the winter," Ms Osborn said. "If I am given the opportunity to help them, it's the least I can do."

Love Soup volunteers will be collecting the items from each drop-off station today.