South Islanders urged to support Brown Paper Bag foodbank appeal
Foodstuffs
New World stores are gearing up for the annual Brown Paper Bag
Appeal, as thousands of the specially designed bags are distributed
throughout the South Island.
Of the 145,000 bags, 118,000 will be delivered inside
newspapers, and 27,000 more sent out to the 41 New World
supermarkets that are located around the island.
Now it's up to Mainlanders to fill the bags with food and other
household essentials, then leave them at their nearest New World
store for delivery to a local foodbank.
Tim Donaldson, General Manager Retail, Foodstuffs South Island,
says the annual foodbank appeal is one way New World supermarkets
give back to their local communities.
"Our stores have a strong community focus simply because they're
owned by locals, staffed by locals and where possible, stocked by
local suppliers," Donaldson says.
"Many already support food rescue programmes by sending food to
charities, rather than throwing it away."
"This appeal lets them put their community connections and
logistical expertise to good use; by asking shoppers to make a
donation, then sending those donations to where they're needed
most."
66,500 of the paper bags are destined for Christchurch - inside
The Press and at the wider city's 15 New World stores - from where
the donated items will be sent to the Christchurch City
Mission.
Matthew Mark, Christchurch City Missioner, says appeal is the
Christchurch City Mission's largest direct connection with the
Christchurch community.
"Any donations, practical or financial, are significant in
enabling us to serve those in our community who are most in need,"
Mark says.
"The preferred donations for the paper bags are non-perishable
foods and hygiene products. We're also appealing for direct
monetary donations, with an aspirational goal to raise $40,000 this
year."
Mark, who took over as Christchurch City Missioner in March, knows
how important the bag appeal is to the Mission's food stocks.
"We're always grateful for the Christchurch community's ongoing
support for the Mission - we simply could not do what we do without
you."
78,500 bags will be sent to other South Island centres: 14,000
distributed amongst 26 New World stores, and 64,500 as inserts
inside these publications:
• Timaru Herald - 8,000
• Nelson Mail - 8,000
• Marlborough Express - 5,000
• Otago Daily Times - 24,000
• Southland Times - 16,000
• Greymouth Star - 3,500
Outside Christchurch, each New World store will be responsible
for delivering the filled paper bags to their local foodbank.
