More than 1000 cans of food are on their way to Motueka Community House, thanks to Motueka High School’s annual can drive.
The school partners with Fonterra Tākaka, which contributes hundreds of cans to match the students’ efforts.
This year, the students pulled together about 400 cans between them, while the Fonterra truck came loaded with more than 700.
Student Jenni Howells, who also helped with last year’s can drive, stepped in to support Community Service Captains Jenny Willers, Kaela Vlaming and Ken Takahashi in organising the collection.
Jenni says the students did well in their efforts, and having their contribution more than doubled by Fonterra was a huge boost.
“We’ve got a definite food poverty issue around here, so this definitely makes a difference.”
Utilities and facilities manager Haydon Ward-Holmes says Fonterra was pleased to support the initiative.
“It’s just great to support our local schools and our local community,” he says.
The food drive is run as a house class competition, with the winning class – Taylor Robertson’s RRBT – each receiving a stash of Whittakers chocolate, also provided by Fonterra.
Motueka Community House distributes the cans through its networks to help people in need across the community.
Manager Jane Henderson says she is absolutely blown away by the students’ efforts and offers a “massive thanks” to both the school and Fonterra.
“Our families through Community House will directly benefit from these donations which will lessen the burden of Christmas and New Year,” she says.
“It’s a shining example how when everyone donates a little, we can achieve a lot.”
