Food drive next week

Sirens will wail and lights will flash — and food will be collected.

Next Wednesday is the annual emergency services food drive in Te Puke, Maketu¯ and Pukehina.

Constable Kirk Waugh of the Mount Maunganui police station. who is coordinating the emergency services food drives across the district, says food collected will stay in the area.

In Te Puke police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand and St John will be joined by community patrols in two teams.

One team will start at the Harris St going on to Seddon St, Lee St, Ben Keys St, George St, Malyon St, Conifer Pl and, if time permits, Donovan St, Valley Rd and Macloughlin Drive.

The other will start in Oxford St then cover Cannell Farm Dr, Norm Freeman Dr, Boucher Ave, No 2 Rd to the edge of the town, Cameron Rd, Hookey Dr, Moehau St, Tui St, Beatty Ave and Queen St if time permits.

“Unfortunately we can’t get down every street in the time frame, but if people would like to donate food to the cause they can drop it at the foodbank or Te Puke police station,” says Kirk.

Maketu¯ and Pukehina food drives will start at 5.30pm, with those in Te Puke getting under way around 6pm.

While the collectors will be asking for non-perishable food items, Kirk says people might want to also add some treats such chocolates, crackers or chips that can be used in Christmas food packages.

Te Puke Foodbank manager Clare Cooper says the foodbank is extremely grateful to the emergency services for their contribution to the foodbank that is one of the services offered at Empowermentnz.

The week before Christmas she says people are welcome to donate perishable goods that can be used to make up Christmas food packages.

She says chickens — frozen or able to be frozen — potatoes, ku¯ mara, tomatoes, strawberries and other produce can all be donated in the week prior to Christmas.

The foodbank is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-1pm until Christmas Eve. There is an emergency telephone number for people wanting assistance outside those hours.

Clare has a selection of babies’ blankets/lap rugs she is willing to exchange for donations to the foodbank.

Te Puke Primary School ambassadors delivered food and toiletries collected at the school to Te Puke Foodbank recently. Pictured are student ambassadors Piper Rainford (rear) and, from left, Gracie Willis, Lily Rolleston, Danica Head and EJ Sigue. The ambassadors also donated $295 to the NZME Special Children’s Christmas party.