The campaign, called Cans for a Cause, will run from June 1-8 and is focused on collecting canned food and essential grocery items for local food banks and community support organisations.
Speaking about the initiative, Invercargill Rotarian Dave McKissock says the campaign has been created to support the growing number of people facing food insecurity across New Zealand and the Pacific.
“Rotary clubs from throughout New Zealand and the Pacific Islands have developed a campaign called Cans for a Cause where we’re collecting cans and food goods for local food banks across the country and the Pacific Islands to help needy families who are in dire need of food on the table,” he says.
The campaign will involve communities from all corners of the country, with supermarkets, schools, businesses and Rotary volunteers all working together to encourage donations.
“It runs from June 1 through to June 8, and most supermarkets, some corporate businesses and schools are involved to try and collect as many items as possible,” Dave says.
Rotary’s goal is ambitious — to collect one million food items throughout the campaign.
While the number may seem huge, organisers say it reflects the growing reality many families are facing every day.
“Our aim is to try and get one million items across New Zealand and the Pacific Islands,” Dave says.
“The reason why we say one million is because one in five people in New Zealand are suffering from a lack of food on the table. This is something Rotary wants to get in behind and support our families and communities with.”
The campaign highlights a growing issue being seen throughout many communities, where rising living costs, increasing grocery prices and financial pressure are leaving more families needing help from food banks and support services.
For Rotary, the initiative is about more than simply collecting cans — it is about communities supporting communities.
Local Rotary members say they hope the campaign will encourage people to give what they can, whether it is a single canned item, a grocery bag of essentials or larger donations from businesses and organisations.
Every donation collected during the week-long campaign will stay within local communities, helping food banks continue providing support to those who need it most.
Rotary clubs have long been known for supporting community projects both locally and internationally, and Dave says this initiative is another example of people coming together to make a real difference.
“There are many families out there doing it tough at the moment,” he says.
“If everyone contributes even just one or two items, together it can make a massive difference for people who may be struggling to feed their families.”
Supermarkets, schools and businesses throughout Southland are being encouraged to get involved and help support the campaign by hosting collection points or donating food items.
Suggested donations include canned food, pasta, rice, long-life milk, breakfast items, spreads, hygiene products and other non-perishable essentials.
Rotary members say the campaign has already received strong support from communities around the country, with many people recognising how important food support services have become for struggling households.
The initiative also shines a light on the important role local food banks play behind the scenes every day, helping individuals and families through difficult times.
Organisers are encouraging Southlanders to keep an eye out for collection bins and donation points and support the campaign where possible.
Cans for a Cause may be a nationwide initiative, but Rotary says the real impact will be felt at a local level — helping neighbours, families and communities right here at home.
For Rotary, the message is simple: every can counts, every donation matters, and together communities can make a real difference.
