Sirens sounded through the city as fire appliances, police cars, ambulances and Red Cross vehicles collected cans to keep Dunedin's foodbanks in stock for the following year.
New Zealand Fire Service spokeswoman Aimee Taylor said the can collection had been ''fantastic''.
''The collection has been really outstanding.''
Can appeal co-ordinator Richie Marlow said 730 banana boxes of cans had been donated.
That equated to at least $50,000 worth of food, he said.
The cans would be split between Saint Vincent de Paul, Presbyterian Support and the Salvation Army.
Mr Marlow said he had been involved with the event for eight years and the enjoyment he got from it did not lessen.
''I get this immense satisfaction that we live in an awesome community.
''Every year, it just seems this event brings smiles to people's faces,'' he said.
Tears were not uncommon, either, he added.
''Often, the people who give the most are the people who have had food parcels themselves and they are so happy to be able to help others.''
The cans would supply the city's three foodbanks over summer but stock would have to replenished before winter, he said.
About 60 volunteers from organisations including LandSAR, Scouts, the Rural Fire Service and Hill City Harriers helped sort the donations which will be distributed equally to the foodbanks today.
