Emergency Services Food Drive Returns Next Week

Te Puke's annual emergency services street appeal is set to take place on November 13, with volunteers from Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade, police, Hato Hone St John, and other community organisations participating. The food drive, coordinated by The Hub Te Puke's food bank, will begin at 6pm at Te Puke Fire Station and proceed around town collecting donations.

Food bank manager Clare Cooper emphasised that while the service is well-stocked with rice, donations of other items are particularly needed, including jellies, custard powder, tinned fruit, chocolate, chips, and Christmas treats. Non-food items such as toiletries and toilet paper are also welcome. The drive has been moved forward from December to give volunteers more time to sort donations, as "by the first week of December people are under pressure themselves with their own budgets," Cooper noted.

Demand for the food bank's services has surged in 2025, with Cooper reporting that needs have "gone through the roof." In September, The Hub reached 169 households and distributed 12,240 meals, valued at $38,700. First-time users are up at least 25 percent, reflecting increased hardship in the community.

Originally published in Te Puke News by Sun Media.