Cans for colour swap success
A new rock craze may have helped boost Timaru Salvation Army’s food bank stocks before the winter surge.
More than 1300 food cans were collected for Timaru Salvation Army as part of Resene ColourShops Hunger for Colour campaign.
People could swap cans of food for 60 to 80 millimetre testpots of paint, which came in handy for many people involved in the TimaruRocks rock painting, hiding and finding craze.
Resene ColourShops Timaru manager Helen Smith said the growth of TimaruRocks meant people were keen for more painting supplies and to help a ‘‘good cause’’.
Food banks across Timaru appeared to be well-stocked, but each organisation was preparing for a busy winter.
Timaru Salvation Army Lieutenant Jacob Howan said ‘‘the sheer number has blown us away’’.
Howan could not believe how many cans were donated after the food bank stores received about 180 cans from the campaign last year.
The number of people seeking food parcels was steady, but Howan expected more people during the colder months when there were often fewer food donations.
St Vincent de Paul assistant welfare officer Elaine Byrne said about 75 people approached the organisation’s food bank for support each month on average, including some repeats.
Between rent and bills, some people were left with $40 to live on for a week, she said. But the food bank was ‘‘well-stocked’’ and ready to help.
Family Works manager Liz Nolan said more families were seeking food bank support. ‘‘In the period January to March, 2016, we gave out 33 food parcels, whereas this year for January, February and March to date, we have given out 45. As colder winter weather approaches, we expect the demand for food bank support to increase, as families face increased costs for home heating.’’
Doctor departure
The departure of a general physician from Timaru Hospital shouldn’t affect the amount of work carried out the hospital, South Canterbury District Health Board (SCDHB) chief executive Nigel Trainor says. Dr Bernard Cooper left the hospital to work in Australia. Trainor said the vacancy was first advertised a fortnight ago and was being advertised both nationally and internationally, with no closing date for applications. So far the SCDHB had received a couple of expressions of interest, but neither had become a firm application, Trainor said. He said the SCDHB was hoping to hire a locum to cover the position until a permanent replacement could be found, however with five other general physicians, Trainor didn’t think the vacancy would affect the number of patients being seen.
Police warn residents
Police are warning residents to keep their property and vehicles secure following two burglaries in the south of Timaru. Senior Sergeant Dylan Murray said a burglar was disturbed by a resident at a house on Marston Rd at 5am on Thursday. A man was seen running down the driveway and some items were found to be missing, Murray said. He believed another property in the area had been burgled recently, and urged residents to secure their vehicles and property. He urged anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously or heard suspicious activity to call 111.
Water shutdown
Water will be temporarily shut down in Twizel between 11pm on March 28 and 2am on March 29. It will shut down to enable the installation of three valve clusters on Mackenzie Dr, as well the repair of a water leak nearby, the Mackenzie District Council said.
Police notebook
Incidents reported yesterday included:
A 4WD quad bike was stolen from an Earl Rd property in Temuka at 11.15pm on Wednesday. Inquiries are continuing.
A Timaru man was charged with breaching a home detention condition at 8pm on Wednesday. The man appeared in the Timaru District Court yesterday.
A Rangitata man, 26, was stopped on Domain Ave, Temuka and had his licence suspended for excess demerit points at 7pm on Wednesday.