Bay of Plenty's food banks benefit

Food banks around the Bay will benefit from the Regional Council’s decision to again pledge $4000 instead of sending Christmas cards this year.

As well as this monetary donation, staff members and councillors have been filling boxes at their offices with non-perishable food items.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chief Executive Bill Bayfield said the region’s food banks really needed help so they could assist members of the community who were not able to put food on the table.

“After seeing how appreciative the food banks were when we decided to do this initiative last year we were more than happy to support them again this year,” Mr Bayfield said.

“It’s a great way for us to get into the festive cheer and more importantly spread it around our communities.”

The Regional Council distributed cheques totalling $4000 last week and will donate food this Thursday.

“There is a lot of pressure on families in our region around this time of year so it is good to be able to relieve some of that pressure, even if it is only in a small way,” Mr Bayfield said.

“Supporting the region’s food banks is a more sustainable approach to Christmas and the staff and councillors have really supported the effort.”

The groups receiving donations are:
Rotorua – Salvation Army – Community and Family Services, 1115 Haupapa Street, Rotorua
Tauranga and western Bay – Tauranga Community Foodbank, Dive Crescent, Tauranga
Kawerau – House of Hope, Tamarangi Drive, Kawerau
Ōpōtiki – Te Ha O Te Whanau Trust, Church Street, Ōpōtiki
Whakatāne – Whakatāne Corps, King Stree, Kopeopeo, Whakatāne