Person of the month: Gina Peiffer

SELFLESS: Gina Peiffer and husband Elmer run Free Stuff Rotorua, a Facebook page which gives away fresh produce. PHOTO/FILE

The spirit of giving is alive and well in Rotorua.

This couldn't be more true of Rotorua woman Gina Peiffer, who with her husband Elmer runs Facebook group Free Stuff Rotorua, an online hub for people giving things away.

They are also the co-ordinators for Love Soup Rotorua, an organisation which provides food and support for the homeless.

For her tireless efforts, Mrs Peiffer is the Rotorua Daily Post Person of the Month for April.

She said she put in about 480 to 500 hours per month on Free Stuff Rotorua and Love Soup.

"You would be amazed at how I manage my time. We are cooking for anywhere around 40 plus people four nights a week. Whatever is excess goes out to the community through Free Stuff Rotorua. Love Soup takes most of our time.

"We feed Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and in between then we are taking donations, and helping to house people. I am always busy, it keeps me out of trouble.

"Our kaupapa is for rough sleepers and the homeless, and we help with housing and teaching them how to live indoors. The food that goes up on the free page is donated to us by a local supermarket who wishes to remain anonymous. We take what we need for Love Soup and give the rest away."

Mrs Peiffer said her Facebook page had been successful because there was a huge need in the community.

"There is a huge demand, we are servicing between 50 and 150 people per day. It is sad - there's a lot of need out there, unfortunately."

It was all worth it for her, she said.