![NZDF delivers donated to stricken communities in Tinui and Castlepoint [pictured]. PHOTO/SARA-JANE ELLMERS](https://dw35i5ezvh1dd.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/RS483043_wta160223supnzdf8.jpg "RS483043_wta160223supnzdf8.jpg")
Supermarkets are delivering plenty of much-needed supplies for eastern Wairarapa communities.
Countdown Masterton donated 120 toilet paper packets, 1000 1.5L water bottles, 5000 cans of fruit and spaghetti, and 800 bags of rice, as well as bread, meat, candles, and nappies earlier this week.
Masterton Countdown manager Adam Hall said they wanted to help where they could.
“The civil emergency crew and wider support network have been fantastic in helping those communities.
“We’ve helped out with similar disasters in the past. If there’s a demand for supplies, we look to fill that request.”
The supermarket got a request from Civil Defence on Wednesday to help the flood-affected communities including Tinui and Castlepoint. After a rush order of the required items was processed in Palmerston North, New Zealand Defence Force had picked up and distributed the supplies by 1 pm Thursday.
Hall said the supermarket was open to any future opportunities to assist.
FreshChoice Greytown was collecting groceries yesterday for Tinui and Hawke’s Bay
“We want to help,” owner Chris Ward said.”
“We have collection points for cash. Our staff are gathering water and food, and there will be a truck delivering them either this afternoon or on Monday.”
Ward said they would continue to collect items for Tinui and Hawke’s Bay next week.
“Torches, batteries, just run-of-the-mill stuff. The main stuff we have here is food.”
Wellington Region Emergency Management Office [WREM] has advised people to think before donating goods to
flood-damaged areas.
Those wishing to help are encouraged to send financial donations through official channels, such as mayoral relief funds, and be cautious of random individuals asking for money and givealittle pages.
People can also contribute by volunteering for larger organisations such as Red Cross and Student Volunteer Army, which will organise clean-ups and other measures once the picture of the damage becomes clearer.
WREM advised people not to send food, blankets or other goods.
“While donated goods come with the absolute best intentions, they can become more of a hindrance than a help. Roads are impassable in many areas and, more importantly, teams on the ground just don’t have the facilities, time or people to sort through donations.”
However, if you hear calls for specific items in an affected area nearby and you can provide it right away, go ahead.
