Donate food to Can-do
PGG Wrightson’s annual CanDo Collection Day appeal to benefit the CHB Food Bank turns six this year, and organisers are looking forward to another bumper collection in 2018.
“We have a number of collectors who pledge their support every year, so now we’re be able to cover O¯ tane, Waipawa, Waipukurau, Takapau and now Porangahau,” said organiser Max Lyver, from PGG Wrightson Waipukurau.
Max was asking people to have a look in their cupboards for anything they can spare to help those in need for the collection day.
“Such things as tins of fruit, vegies or beans, jars of jam, sauces and pickles, packets of biscuits, pasta, noodles, soup and even household cleaning products. Any non-perishable food items will all go to needy families,” he said.
Tegel Foods had again pledged to make a bulk donation of its frozen chicken products which will be a welcome addition to anybody’s Christmas dinner, said Max.
Collectors will again deliver reminder notices one week prior to the collection during the annual event,¯before they walk the streets of Otane, Waipawa, Waipukurau, Takapau and Porangahau on Thursday, November 15 between 6pm-7pm, supported by a number of private cars and various fire brigade, ambulance and local police vehicles.
“So if you hear the sirens blaring or see flashing lights, it’s a reminder to hang a grocery bag with your donation on your gate or letterbox,” Lyver said.
In previous years, PGG Wrightson have supplied over 3000 branded plastic bags for the collection.
“But now as we acknowledge the worldwide move away from the use of single use plastic bags, we’re asking people to repurpose any old shopping bags they might have lying around home and put their donations in them. We’ll then dispose of the bags responsibly after the collection,” said Lyver.
Numerous groups volunteered to act as collectors, said Max, including Epic Ministries, Ruahine Cadets, St John Ambulance Cadets, Waipukurau Rotary Club, Federation of Women’s Institute, CHB District Council, staff from Crowe Horwath, Takapau RSA, Porangahau Ma¯ ori Women’s Welfare League and the team from the PGG Wrightson retail store.
“We’d still like to see some involvement from the rural schools this year, so we’re reaching out to all schools in the CHB area to take part,” he said.
If residents are not going to be home on November 15 but want to donate, food items can be dropped to the PGG Wrightson store at 12 Takapau Road in Waipukurau. There will also be drop boxes in the foyer of CHB District Council’s offices in Waipawa and the local district libraries.
■ People who want to act as collectors or who can help on the day with a car, ute or trailer can contact Max on 858 6780 or Michelle Burne on 858 6771.