Christmas Appeal donations pour in

FILE

Donations to the Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal for the Salvation Army foodbank are slowly pouring in.

Earlier this month the Rotorua Daily Post launched its annual Christmas Appeal with the Rotorua Weekender and The Hits 97.5FM, selecting the Salvation Army Foodbank to receive donations of food and cash.

Rotorua Salvation Army Community Ministries manager Captain Brian Martin said it was fantastic to see people getting behind the cause.

In the past week, the organisation has received about $750 worth of food from Glenholme School, $100 worth from Western Heights High School and five donations of food from anonymous donors, and $350 worth of other donations.

Waikite Valley Women's Institute also donated goods.

Cash donations have also been coming in, with $225 donated in three separate lots.

"It's been really good, it just shows you how generous the community is."

"With Christmas coming up we have lots of people that need help so it's great to see people getting involved to help. Of course, everything donated stays in the Rotorua community and will go to families here and around our district."

Scion staff are also gearing up to donate hundreds of items to the appeal, last year the organisation gathered more than 800 items.

Scion's Stefania Pizzirani, who is organising the collection, said she was organising a raffle which would motivate staff to bring canned goods. For every can donated, they would receive a raffle ticket with which they could win prizes donated by local businesses.

"I think the Salvation Army is such a worthy cause. It helps so many people and what's really great about it, is that they help those in our community," she said.

Donations to the Christmas Appeal can be made at our Hinemoa St office between 8am and 5pm on weekdays.

People can donate money or non-perishable food. Food donations can also be made at the Salvation Army's Community Ministries at Community House on Haupapa St.

- To help, please contact reporter Adriana Weber on (07) 343 6897 or adriana.weber@dailypost.co.nz.