Christmas Appeal: Drive to replenish foodbank

TEAM EFFORT: The Hits' Kat Hicks (left), Paul Hickey, Salvation Army Rotorua Captain Amanda Martin and Rotorua Daily Post reporter Adriana Weber are gearing up for Monday's food drive. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

This year's food drive for the Salvation Army is set to be bigger and better than ever - so get ready to get your cans out.

On Monday dozens of volunteers will be hitting the streets in three Rotorua suburbs, Ngongotaha, Western Heights and Springfield, to collect cans and other non-perishable food items as part of the Rotorua Daily Post and The Hits Food Drive for the Salvation Army.

All the goods collected will be donated to the Salvation Army foodbank, which helps hundreds of families in need this Christmas.

The drive will see volunteers from the Rotorua Daily Post, The Hits, Ritchies Coachlines and Smith City, with the mayor and other councillors, along with plenty of others, helping out.

There will also be plenty of noise with the Ngongotaha Volunteer Fire Brigade and Lake Okareka Rural Fire Force taking their trucks to the streets and blaring their sirens, along with the Sulphur City Motorcycle Club, who will be revving their engines and showing off their slick motorcycles.

Residents in the areas are encouraged to bring goods to their doors or the edge of their streets to be collected and to watch the spectacle unfold.

The Hits radio announcer Paul Hickey said he was thrilled to be taking to the streets again this year.

"We do so many community events throughout the year, but this is one of the most rewarding initiatives we get behind," he said.

"It's a special time of the year that should be able to be celebrated by everyone, without added pressures and stress. So to be able to put something like this together to try and make that happen is pretty special."

Rotorua Daily Post editor Kim Gillespie said locals always gave generously when it came to the can drive. "It's fantastic to see the tremendous amount of goodwill and generosity in the community year after year, and I have no doubt this year will be no different."

The Rotorua Daily Post and The Hits Food Drive for the Salvation Army will run from 6pm to 8pm.

For those that can't make it but would like to contribute, you can leave food out for the collectors on your street or take your donation of goods into the Rotorua Daily Post office on Hinemoa St.