Christmas Appeal: Rotorua Salvation Army foodbank receives almost $15k of donations in one week

Rotorua Salvation Army community ministries wellbeing team leader Sally Wilson thanks the community for its early support of the Christmas Appeal. Photo / Andrew Warner

Community support has pushed the Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal to almost $15,000 in its first week, nearly tripling last year’s opening tally.

Rotorua Salvation Army community ministries wellbeing team leader Sally Wilson said the early response had caught the team by surprise, with people beginning their Christmas generosity when “it’s not even December yet”.

The annual Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal for the Rotorua Salvation Army Foodbank launched on November 15 and runs for six weeks. It is supported by The Hits Rotorua 97.5FM.

As of November 24, the donation tally had reached $14,792, made up of $13,820 in cash and $972 in food, valued at $3 per item. No gifts had been donated at that point.

“We know times are hard,” Wilson said. “To see people come in and give … it’s just like, thank you."

Last year the foodbank had collected $5560 in donated food, money and gifts at the same point.

A $10,000 donation from Rotorua Trust marked the first major cash contribution to the appeal this year.

Scope Cafe’s Coffee for a Can fundraiser brewed up enough non-perishable food to fill a staircase, later sorted and shelved in the foodbank’s on-site supermarket - Te Kai Mākona.

The cafe’s new owner Dave Fabling extended the usually one-day event to two to draw in more donations.

Wilson said the community’s generosity had created “a good feeling”.

People had been popping into the Salvation Army throughout the week to drop off food or ask how they could get involved.

Many were asking to have their names added to the volunteer list, she said, with some even bringing friends keen to lend a hand.

The rise in interest was “exciting”, Wilson said, especially at a time of year when “extra support” was needed and the team “can’t do it on our own”.

Wilson said anyone wanting to contribute could simply bring in a food item or a gift. The main collection points are the Salvation Army building and the foyer of Rotorua Lakes Council’s Civic Centre.

Troops were being rallied for the appeal’s Fill the Bus event on December 4. Last year marked the 10th anniversary, with more than 10,000 items collected during the day-long citywide drive.

Other donation opportunities include the Rotorua Christmas Parade this Saturday and the Mamaku Can Drive on Sunday.

The Hits Rotorua host Paul Hickey encouraged people to keep an eye out for the Salvation Army and The Hits crews collecting donations for Fill the Bus at the parade.

Anyone bringing a can or food item could hand it straight to the bus on the day, he said.

Last year, the Mamaku Volunteer Fire Brigade collected nearly $1600 worth of items during its can drive.

The long-running Mamaku Christmas community walk has been going door to door for almost a decade, gathering cans and other donations for the Salvation Army.

Wilson said the team was gearing up for a big week ahead.

Annabel Reid is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post, based in Rotorua. Originally from Hawke’s Bay, she has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canterbury.