Church rallies for needy

Rotorua's Living Well Church pastors Leanne and Gary Ellis are donating hundreds of dollars worth of goods to the Salvation Army food bank. Photo / Ben Fraser

The Living Well Church has extended a helping hand to those in need this Christmas.

The church has donated a whopping $1000 in cash and hundreds of items of food to the Salvation Army food bank, as part of the Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal.

More than 700 people turned out to the church's annual Christmas production last weekend, which has been a part of the church's calendar for the past 10 years.

Between 300 and 400 people turned out for the morning performance, with more than 500 for the evening show.

Entry into the 90-minute show was by cash donation or an item of non-perishable food to donate to the Salvation Army. Members of the church and volunteers also pitched in and donated goods and money.

Church pastor Gary Ellis said he was amazed by the generosity shown by the people who came along to the show.

"I'm just so amazed by how much was raised. The Salvation Army do a great job and it's nice, as a church, to be able to work with other churches and support one another," he said.

Mr Ellis said he hoped the money raised and food collected would help those families struggling over the Christmas period.

"It's a difficult time for many, there's a lot of people in need. If what we've collected here can help make it a little easier for at least some of those people, then I'll be happy."

The Living Well Church's donation is the latest in a series coming from the community, local businesses and organisations.

Last week, the Salvation Army picked up 490 food items from the Rotorua Daily Post office, worth about $1000, which had been dropped off by generous locals throughout the past few weeks.

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.