Foodbank still needs help

Elizabeth Tai is grateful for the donations the Salvation Army foodbank has received, but says a lot more is still needed. Photo / Ben Fraser

Cans of food and an anonymous $1000 donation have come through to the Salvation Army's foodbank, but most of this will be "gone in a week".

In yesterday's Rotorua Daily Post, it was reported the foodbank was close to running out of food, after an increase in demand for its service this year.

While donations have started to come in, the Salvation Army is still desperate for donations.

Non-perishable items and money was donated at the Rotorua Daily Post office yesterday, including tins of spaghetti, packets of noodles, crackers, biscuits, muesli bars and cereals.

Salvation Army social worker Elizabeth Tai said she was grateful for those donations and others made to its Haupapa St office.

"We also have had $220 worth of cans donated, and a young family came in and brought a couple of bags in."

But a lot more was needed. "All that food is going to be gone in a week. There are so many families out there who are struggling with their finances, so it's ongoing."

Salvation Army officer administrator Tania Hore, who is based at the church on Old Taupo Rd, said an elderly gentleman yesterday dropped off a box of cans.

"He has obviously gone through his pantry after reading the article in the Rotorua Daily Post. He has even donated an Anathoth jam, nine cans of spaghetti and one jar of peanut butter as well as tinned salmon, fruit, creamed corn and tomato puree.

"It often does come down through older members of the community - they have the time to think about the needy and be less selfish."

Te Wananga o Aotearoa Rotorua is also joining the campaign, holding collection points at its Lake Rd and Old Taupo Rd campuses.

"We love being part of our community here in Rotorua and the Salvation Army has always been a huge positive pillar of strength and help to all those who walk through its doors," it said on its Facebook page.

Community ministries manager Shelley Fischer told the Rotorua Daily Post they had had 1123 clients this January to August, and gave out $150,000 worth of food.

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.
•Food 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.