Masterton Intermediate School leaders with the food their school collected. PHOTO/ELI HILL
ELI HILL
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Schools around Masterton ditched their uniforms on Friday in a mass effort to help replenish the stocks of Masterton Foodbank.
The multi-school mufti day had children bringing items of food in exchange for not wearing their uniform.
Masterton Intermediate School pupil Jodeci Apaita said he brought in filling for tacos.
“Giving back to the community is what this is all about. Helping those less fortunate.”
Chris Vaughn took a group of students from the Makoura College alternative education class to collect the donated foods from schools.
“The people at the Foodbank are just awesome. They supply us with food for the week and we get a nice morning tea on Mondays. They’re just awesome.”
Masterton Foodbank co-ordinator Lyn Tankersley said an empty space in the Foodbank three metres by nine metres was now “chokka-block with food”.
“All the shelves are full.”
Tankersley said seeing all the food arrive made her quite emotional.
“It’s been incredible, just amazing. We’re overwhelmed with the response, and the amount sitting in front of me now is just incredible.
She praised the organisers, Masterton district Councillors Frazer Mailman and Bex Johnson.
“We’re very grateful to them and the schools and the kids and everybody else.”
Tankersley said the Foodbank had distributed considerably more than 100 food parcels over the past week.
“Instead of spending $3000 to $4000 on food next month, we’re not going to have to because of this wonderful collection that has come in.
“Masterton’s a very special place to live in – the community is so giving. It’s so neat that the children have been a part of the giving. I think that’s just been incredible.”
