Bay of Plenty Rugby Union today announced a partnership with BOP Vinnie's.
In a statement from the union they said they would be working with BOP Vinnie's to provide benefits to the Bay of Plenty community.
BOP Vinnies is part of the World Wide Organisation - Society of St Vincent
De Paul and is a charity that delivers charitable works to the wider Bay of Plenty area.
The operations of BOP Vinnies is dependent on volunteers. There are over five hundred active volunteers in the Bay of Plenty who help assist and deliver Vinnies programmes and initiatives.
BOP Vinnies will assist anyone irrespective of ethnicity or religious beliefs.
BOP Vinnies provides numerous benefits to the Bay of Plenty Community including food vans that deliver meals each week to needy children, providing meals to homeless people, pay outstanding utility, rent, medical costs for those families struggling financially, and give clothing to those in need.
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union will partner with BOP Vinnie's to support their community programs, help raise the profile of BOP Vinnie's activity, and raise funds to help BOP Vinnie's with three key priorities of increased food van services in Rotorua, improving the nightly food van service in Tauranga, and extending Young Vinnies activities in the Bay of Plenty.
"Bay of Plenty Rugby is committed to helping make the Bay of Plenty a better place and giving back to our community," said Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Chairman Paul Owen.
"Partnering with BOP Vinnie's is a great way we can live this. BOP Vinnie's are providing direct benefit to a large number of our community that need support. We are privileged to partner with BOP Vinnies."
BOP Vinnie's Area President Tony Rogers said BOP Vinnies was absolutely delighted to partner with BOP Rugby.
"In aligning BOP Vinnies with Bay of Plenty Rugby, Vinnies was influenced by the commendable commitment of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Board to become more involved in giving back to their community and through this make Bay of Plenty a better place for residents."
"As a voluntary organisation the assistance that Bay of Plenty Rugby will offer Vinnies through this partnership will significantly assist Vinnies continue and improve the services and help we provide to Bay of Plenty community."