The Christmas Can Food Drive is on again, with locals asked to put non-perishable goods outside their homes and on their driveways to be donated to local food banks. 

The Alexandra and Clyde food drive is run annually across the South island by Property Brokers on behalf of The Salvation Army, who collect the goods for donation to food banks and on to people who are doing it tough locally. 

Collectors, made up of local Scout groups will be organised into teams, and will collect cans from front doors and gates on foot. 

They are then collected by a car trailing behind, with fire brigade trucks in support and ringing their sirens ahead to warn locals. 

Alexandra and Clyde’s pickup will be scheduled for December 8, between 5.30 and 7pm. 

Property Brokers Alexandra local Can Food Drive organiser Natasha McLeod says the Alexandra and Clyde run will feature local students doing the valuable leg work. 

“The junior students from Dunstan High School help out and run around collecting cans. The Fire Brigade will be out and about driving round as a wee reminder also.

“It's a great thing for the community and helps out families in need, we never know when that may be us in that situation.

“​Our community has always been very generous and this is really appreciated.

“We take a lot of pride in organising this community event, however sometimes cans do get missed even though we try hard not to.  

“These items can either be dropped to us at Property Brokers or call us on 034402163 and we will pop back and collect.”

Cromwell’s Can Food Drive is marked for December 13, from 5.30pm, with collection between 6-7pm for the Cromwell Food Bank.

Collectors and volunteers in Cromwell will then meet up at Forage Cafe to tally their total. 

Property Brokers Cromwell Dawn Turnbull says the fire trucks will drive around with their sirens on, just to let locals know everybody is coming. 

“We want locals to put non-perishable items in a bag at the end of the drive or on the side of the road.

“There will basically be a “toot toot” and look out from the Fire Brigade.”

Dawn says Cromwell’s can drive last year was its first, and although it was successful overall, many weren’t aware it took place. 

This year they are looking for a larger haul to swell the food bank. Local scouts, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Forage Cafe and St John make the Cromwell run possible.

“Last year was very successful and we are looking forward to making it successful this year,” Dawn says. 

“Every item will go towards Cromwell Food Bank. 

“Last year it was left a little late and people weren’t quite aware. A lot of people were unaware, but we still got a busload of food. This year, we want to get more. 

“This is our community, this is my community, so let’s do this. 

“It’s great help from the Scouts, about 40 of them with their parents, hopefully everyone in Cromwell knows about it and they can help. 

“The food is for whoever needs it basically. It’s pretty awesome.”