Food floods in to restock Sallies' bank

Food has flooded in to replenish the shelves of the Rotorua Foodbank.

Support and donations continue to flow in for the Rotorua Salvation Army foodbank.

Community ministries manager Shelly Fischer said the community response had been great.

The Rotorua Daily Post kickstarted an emergency appeal last week after the organisation said they were in "desperate need" to replenish their shelves.

Ms Fischer said the Sallies had seen the generosity of locals daily and had now closed their Haupapa St office until Monday to clean out and rearrange their space for the donations.

"They've really rallied around and we've had people bring in quite a bit of product. We want to use the opportunity to revitalise the foodbank and ensure quality control."

Ms Fischer said cash donations had been received, with donors asking for the amounts not to be publicised.

"It's been wonderful, we also have been given fresh fruit and vegetables. We don't get a lot of that so it's nice to give it out. Those that gave have said times are tough, and everyone knows times are tough, and some who have donated have previously used the foodbank themselves."

Local businesses and organisations had also started collections to support the appeal.

"It's quite heart warming actually.

"You can work in isolation and don't realise how much community support you do have until you put out an SOS. That support has provided a boost in encouragement for the work we do."

She said there was still a demand in the community for the service and that they could "never have enough" donations to help the vulnerable.

Items such as meat, pasta sauces, soup and toiletries were still needed.

How you can help:

* Donate money or non-perishable food items.

* Donations can be made at Rotorua Daily Post's Hinemoa St office between 8am and 5pm weekdays.

* Donations can also be made at the Salvation Army's Community Ministries at Community House, Haupapa St, the Salvation Army church on Old Taupo Rd or the Family Store on Pukuatua St.