Members of the Young Vinnies - a group of St Joseph's School pupils aged 11 to 13 - yesterday made a $600 donation to the local food bank, giving the charity a much-needed boost before Christmas.
Group member Sasha Scott (13) said the group bagged and sold pine cones to raise money to buy food to give to the food bank.
Sasha said they sold 83 bags of pine cones, raising $451. The group then went to Balclutha New World to buy the food, and were given an extra $150 to spend by supermarket owners Craig and Julie Broderick.
Yesterday, the group dropped off $600 worth of groceries at the Balclutha Food Bank. Salvation Army staff and volunteers will distribute the food to those in need in the South Otago area.
Salvation Army community ministries manager Kaye Bell said the Young Vinnies had contacted her two weeks ago to find out what the food bank needed.
"To have children taking the initiative to help others is very humbling."
The Brodericks had been "absolutely fantastic" with the support they gad given the Young Vinnies and food bank, she said.
The donations would make a "huge difference" to families in need, particularly at Christmas time, she said.
Last month, the Salvation Army took over the operation of the food bank, which was previously run from the St Andrew's Church.
The service operates from Salvation Army offices in Clyde St and is open from 3.30pm to 4.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Donations can also be dropped off at Balclutha New World.
