Record haul: North Canterbury food banks receive huge boost

ncn_banner.png

Volunteers with their Toot for Tucker haul outside the Kaiapoi Community Centre. Photo: David Hill
Volunteers with their Toot for Tucker haul outside the Kaiapoi Community Centre. Photo: David Hill
Kaiapoi gathered in a record haul on Tuesday in the Toot for Tucker.

The Kaiapoi Community Centre was left with bags of food flowing out into the hallway when volunteers headed for home after a job well done.

Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Kaiapoi co-ordinator Louise Griffiths estimated it was double last year’s comparatively modest haul of 336 bags of food.

“The feedback from the people coming in was really positive. Everyone is saying an hour is almost not enough because there’s so much food to pick up, which is awesome.”

She believes the Covid-19 experience has made people more aware of the importance of food banks.

Louise estimated that around 100 volunteers turned out to support the collection in Kaiapoi, including local residents, the Kaiapoi Volunteer Fire Brigade crews and the Kaiapoi Community Support volunteers, who were running the barbecue.

Toot for Tucker organisers also reported huge support in Oxford, Rangiora, Woodend, and Amberley.

If anyone has missed collection they can drop it in to organiser, Bev Wright, at Property Brokers in Rangiora, or to their local food bank.