Sallies salute support

HARD JOB: Salvation Army commanding officer Bill Millar at the Foodbank. PHOTO/FILE

The Rotorua Salvation Army Foodbank has been inundated with generosity from the community - with one person handing over a cheque for $10,000.

A urgent call for help was made this week by the organisation as food stocks were fast dwindling.

Rotorua commanding officer Bill Millar said he was collecting donations at various drop-off points yesterday.

"It's going splendidly. I've spent quite a bit of time gathering up contributions at the Rotorua Daily Post and Work and Income who had a huge collection donated from their staff, and at the church and of course the foodbank," Mr Millar said.

"We are absolutely delighted with the response, people are very generous."

Mr Millar said they had received monetary donations which included $210 handed into the Rotorua Daily Post office.

"Someone came saw us today, and they wished to remain anonymous, and gave us a $10,000 cheque. We're blown away, we're really, really delighted," he said.

"It's taken a lot of stress out of our work, we could really see ourselves staring down the barrel, saying to those in need, 'Sorry, but we cannot come to the party and help'."

Also donating $100 was Mobile Massage business owner Wayne George, a long-term supporter of the organisation's foodbank who believes the service they give is integral to the community.

"For every new company that comes on to my books, however many of their staff access the service I will donate $10 from each person's massage requirements."

Mr Millar said the giving from the community was "very special".

"Over my time in the Salvation Army, I see in the big city, people don't have the same sense of ownership, but here there is very much a sense that this is our city and we'll look after each other."

Donations are still being accepted as there was still a great need, Mr Millar said.