There's an interesting story behind almost every batch of food and every box of household goods that passes through the Salvation Army foodbank in Hamilton.

From the carton-damaged goods that came from the train stranded by the Kaikoura earthquake to the haul of tinned tomatoes that turned up from a closed Italian restaurant just as the foodbank ran out, or the broken multi-packs of snacks donated by supermarkets after customers have been "grazing".

Co-ordinator at the London Street foodbank Christine Canty and her small team of volunteers have many such tales to tell. Plus they often know where to seek bulk donations of things like cereal or sugar or to find fruit and veges that are surplus stock.

They especially know about the generosity of companies big and small.


"Places like Sanitarium and Nestle are always very good to us," says Christine. "And our bread supply is good, thanks to Couplands and Quality Bakers."

Then there's the one-off windfalls that give the Sallies' foodbank a boost, like Foundation Bar and Kitchen that turned up with 42 two-litre bottles of milk, plus the woman who comes in every month with 120 cans of spaghetti.

"Sometimes we do have a shortfall in some things, but the Lord seems to whisper in someone's ear and things turn up," says Christine.

But right now the foodbank is struggling to meet demand and is making an appeal to anyone in Hamilton who is able to help fill shelves that are almost empty.

"We are most in need of canned food - baked beans, tinned tomatoes, tinned fish, pasta bake, that sort of thing," says Christine. "Some times we try to give people a treat, such as canned fruit.

"We are desperately short of coffee at the moment. When people are at home they tend to drink lot of tea or coffee. Sometimes they ask for one or the other but we have to remind them we are not a supermarket."

Christine says demand for food parcels is greater than it was last year, with the foodbank processing up to to 20 parcels each day it is open.

Supplies are so short that food parcels have dropped from a five-day supply to just three days - although that is all some people need as a buffer to get through to pay or benefit day.


All foodbank clients are carefully interviewed to ensure the need is genuine and all are referred to budgeting services. WINZ clients must produce a letter showing they have used all their food entitlements there.

"Some are people who manage their finances quite well week to week, but then along comes a WOF or a car rego payment and they just can't manage groceries," says Christine. "High power bills from winter is another one we see often."

All donations will be gratefully received at the foodbank or in the Salvation Army collection bins at all Countdown supermarkets.

How you can help

Food donations can be dropped off at the Salvation Army Foodbank at 99 London Street in the city, or place goods in the Salvation Army bins at any Countdown supermarket. To inquire about making donations call Christine Canty on 07 834 7000.