Greerton residents Eddie Sheridan and his son Isaac, 4, donate to volunteers Laura Saunders, 17, Aileen Harwood, 16, Millie Elliott, 16, and Thea Smith, 12.
Volunteers hit the streets in Bellevue last night to collect cans and non-perishables for the Tauranga Community Foodbank. With only 20 days to go until Christmas the residents of Bellevue were feeling generous.
Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal co-ordinator Sonya Bateson said the residents of Bellevue dug deep to help needy families at Christmas time. “Greerton residents were so generous last week and Bellevue was no different. It’s humbling to see how readily people give back to their foodbank.”
Ms Bateson said residents got creative with their donations – as well as the typical cans of fruit and baked beans, there were jars of butter chicken mix, toiletries, pasta and baking ingredients. “All of these items go a long way towards feeding hungry families. Any one of us can suddenly find ourselves in a situation where we need to ask for help.”
One of the volunteers collecting cans was 16-year-old Millie Elliott from Aquinas College. She and three of her friends were on the can drive as part of the Aquinas College Army – a community outreach group. The group looked for projects in the community to help out – earlier in the year the group delivered care packages to Merivale School students. “It’s all about paying it forward,” Millie said.
She said they were lucky and privileged and would have presents and a nice dinner this Christmas. “I think it’s important to pass that on to people who won’t.”
A final can drive would be held in Arataki on December 13 from 5.30pm. Volunteers would be collecting donations from as many people as they could in the Grenada St area.
A drop-off point would also be set up at Arataki Park for anyone who lived outside the collection area who wanted to donate.
