Young helpers come bearing food and goodwill

St Paul’s Cathedral Bright Lights Sunday school pupils (from left) Mackenzie Chrystal (8, partially obscured), Ziva Curtis (11), Leah Firman (8), Charlie Aitken (6), Gabriel Curtis (13), Joseph Kelly (13) and Rosie Aitken (9) bring a donation to the Salvation Army foodbank in Dunedin yesterday.

Salvation Army administrator Paulette Boyes said at present foodbank staff were flat out with 20 to 30 food parcels leaving the Salvation Army for individuals and families in need every day.

The St Paul’s Sunday school group is one of a multitude of groups around the city that sprang into action after news this month that city foodbank shelves were being stripped bare under intense pressure.

Dunedin’s annual Christmas can appeal, which usually boosts foodbank reserves, was cancelled because of Covid-19 restrictions.