The organisers of the Harcourts Christmas food bank drive, due to take place on Thursday, are "absolutely gutted" to have to cancel the Wānaka and Hāwea segments of the street collection —  a tradition which has run for 13 years. 

We are asking that people bring their donations to Community Networks at the new Community Hub on McDougall St on Wednesday (9am – 5pm) or Thursday (9am – 7 pm), so that those in need can still be helped."
Christmas Food Bank Drive coordinator, Nikki McKay, says that the group had to take a "safety first" approach.  "We don't want any of our volunteers to be put in danger, so we've had to call off the Wānaka and Hāwea street collection, which is a real shame. But that shouldn't stop people contributing." 

Hāwea residents can donate at the Community Hub or drop their donations to the Lake Hāwea Fire station or the Hāwea Flat Hall on Thursday evening between 5pm and 7pm. For home pickups in the Hāwea area phone Brent Arthur ph 021334482.

Nikki said that for people in Luggate and Mt Barker, the collections WILL continue.  "So please have your donations ready on Thursday, and listen out for the fire sirens and volunteer vehicles as usual, and bring your donations to the gate."

Donations go mainly towards creating Christmas hampers of food and gifts for families who are finding that the high cost of living in Wānaka will make Christmas a struggle for them. We always have room for whatever is given because we also need to keep the foodbank topped up through the year. Last year 75 Christmas hampers were given to families, and so far in 2019, 253 food parcels have been given out from the foodbank.

Cash donations are also welcome as this enables to buy items not otherwise donated, both at Christmas and at other times of the year. This can be by cash at the office, or by internet banking to the Alpine Community Development Trust, 03 1739 0059339 02.

All donations are gratefully received, but there is a particular need for the following: rice, pasta and pasta sauces, meat (we have a freezer), canned fish, crackers, biscuits, muesli bars, baking goods, toiletries and breakfast items.

Please note that we do not include alcohol in hampers. Please label any home-made jams and chutneys with a description of the contents.

Thank you in advance to all those who generously offer their time, food and financial donations to the Christmas hamper and foodbank. We wish you a happy Christmas and relaxing holiday season.