Thousands of cans of food and other non-perishable items were donated by residents in Cromwell, Alexandra and Clyde in the annual Christmas Can Drive.

It will be Maniototo's turn on December 16, when the Ranfurly Volunteer Fire Brigade and volunteers take to the streets to collect food for families in need.

Alexandra Salvation Army captain Jonny Whybrow said they estimated about 3500 cans were collected from the two towns, and wanted to share gratitude to Property Brokers and Dunstan High School for

organising the event.

Bailey Young from Property Brokers summed up the response well on Facebook. “Holy Moly, Alexandra and Clyde you are amazing is all I can think, the generosity in our community is insane and inspiring.”

Up in Cromwell it was the local scouts doing the running around the streets, but for those who missed out donating food, there are bins set up in New World Alexandra and Cromwell. 

Once collected it will be sorted and distributed to both foodbanks and to Plunket.

Out in Ranfurly, the Maniototo Support Network will be distributing food from its can drive to families in the lead up to Christmas, and people can also drop off items to the local Four Square.

The Salvation Army Alexandra receives redirected food from both Woolworths and New World every week, as an ongoing partnership, but is always grateful for the community’s help as well.

The Combined Churches Foodbank has seen a 6% increase in the number of food parcels given out in the Alexandra community in recent months.

Jonny said it was due to the rising cost of living, and in particular those that are renting.