The Mamaku Fire Brigade has taken its trucks out for a spin in the community and collected more than 500 items for the Rotorua Salvation Army.
Brigade chief John Roe said the can-drive was something they decided to do as part of the Rotorua Daily Post Salvation Army Foodbank Christmas Appeal because there were many people in need at this time of year.
"We did it last year in conjunction with the Mamaku School and we had a good response so everyone was keen to do it again," he said.
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In total they collected 560 items made up of non-perishable food and Christmas presents valued at more than $1000.
Mamaku station officer Michael Pene said they wanted to give the Mamaku community a chance to contribute to the appeal.
"It went really well this year, we went right around the entire village and got huge support. We took our appliance and we got some support from the Mamaku Primary School.
"Around this time we had seen that the foodbank had hit an all time low so we thought we would do our part and do what we could," he said.
Rotorua Salvation Army social worker Suzy King said she was impressed with the donation.
"Like everything else it's just really overwhelming. Just to know that there is a smaller community out there in Mamaku and even though they are up in the bush they still think about the wider community of Rotorua and just to give to the foodbank is such a selfless thing," she said.
Make your donations of non-perishable food at the Rotorua Daily Post office: 1143 Hinemoa St or the Salvation Army's Community Ministries, 1188 Amohia St.
You can also donate money at BNZ: The Salvation Army Rotorua, Reference: Foodbank, Acc: 02-0416-0024233-00. If any organisations, schools or individuals are organising a fundraising event, please let us know by emailing news@dailypost.co.nz or contacting reporter Kyra Dawson on (07) 349 7477.