Love Soup Rotorua acknowledged for hard work

Gina Peiffer and Elmer Peiffer, founders of Love Soup Rotorua. PHOTO/FILE

A Rotorua organisation which aims to help feed the homeless has been acknowledged for its hard work.

Love Soup was awarded the Mitre 10 Community of the Year award in the Kiwibank Local Hero awards, which are affiliated with the New Zealander of the Year awards.

The community award acknowledges groups for their achievements and contribution to the community.

Love Soup Rotorua co-founder Elmer Peiffer said he was thankful to those who had nominated the organisation.

"The purpose, when we started, wasn't for the acknowledgement. It was to help those that were needing help but we're really surprised and quite humbled by the support," Peiffer said.

He said the award wouldn't change much, and the organisation would keep up with its work.

"We'll just keep on keeping on. if anything was to change it would make us work harder to keep our focus in front of us."

Love Soup founder Gina Peiffer was also honoured as a Local Hero for her tireless work to support Rotorua's homeless community and Julie King was awarded the Sanitarium innovator of the year award.

Love Soup has plans to open a base in Taupo within the next month.

The organisation provides meals to those in need, among other services.