Foodbank supplies in Ashburton are in desperate need of replenishing as Christmas approaches.
Toot For Tucker is coming to the rescue today.
Organised by Ashburton County Lions, with the support of Property Brokers Ashburton, the annual initiative will be this evening, beginning 6pm.
It involves vehicles tooting their way around Ashburton, Fairton, Hinds and Lake Hood. Each car has a driver and a runner, and stops to collect non-perishable grocery items left out by residents in bags which have been pre-delivered to mail boxes.
Extra Toot For Tucker bags are available at The Ashburton Courier office, 199 Burnett St.
Salvation Army foodbank coordinator Sisilia Waqairatavo said demand was high at the foodbank, but supplies were low. It was a constant situation, reflecting the nationwide cost of living crisis.
‘‘This initiative will really help boost our foodbank,’’ Waqairatavo said.
St Vincent de Paul Ashburton president Trevor Wall said Toot For Tucker kept the charity’s foodbank stocked for most of the year.
Demand over the past three months had increased 15 to 20 per cent compared to the same period last year. Part of the increase was due to bigger families seeking support.
‘‘I think it’s the hard conditions at the moment, I think everyone is feeling the pinch of the economic downturn,’’ Wall said.
Presbyterian Support Ashburton team leader Kelsi Thompson said Toot For Tucker was crucial for boosting supplies at this time of year. Like Wall and Waqairatavo, she was full of praise for the initiative.
‘‘It’s amazing seeing how generous people are,’’ Thompson said.
Lions organiser Julie McKimmie said the food collected last year filled 409 banana boxes. This had been on a par with the previous year, despite a post-Covid environment and increasing cost of living.
‘‘We would hope for the same this year,’’ McKimmie said.
Anyone wanting to help with the collection can turn up to the Ashburton Showgrounds home industry pavilion by 5.30pm, with a car, driver and runner. People can also help out in the pavilion, sorting groceries as they arrive.
