Community spirit is driving a Central local to make the annual canned food drive a success, and replenish the stocks of the Food Bank in Cromwell. 

Dawn Turnbull has worked on the can drive for the past three years and said it takes “weeks of effort” to bring it all together.

She does a range of tasks, including media advertising and promotions, putting up posters, keeping community groups updated, and coordinating meetings and briefing volunteers.

Dawn Turnbull said she will keep working hard on the campaign as it’s important to support those in the community

“What I do for the community, it’s all about giving back… and I love it.”

Cromwell locals need to put out non-perishable food items at the end of driveways to support the collection, prior to pick up time tonight (Wednesday December 7) at 6.00pm.

Dawn said all the canned food would go to the food bank and small items such as toiletries would go to Cromwell’s ‘Secret Santa’.

The canned food drive is also made possible by the Scouts and their families. Approximately 50 children enjoy the experience of volunteering as they follow behind the St John’s ambulance and the fire truck to collect the donated goods. 

Dawn said residents needed to be aware that the sirens would be on to alert people to the collection and that it was helpful if cans were out prior to 6pm.

“Getting the word out there is the big thing… it takes weeks of trying to let everyone know.”

She thanked Nikki Livingstone and the Scouts for being on board again along with Forage Cafe’s Glen Christiansen (for storing items overnight) along with St John and Fire and Emergency New Zealand for providing vehicles.  

For Alexandra and Clyde, there is a can collection too, also supported by Property Brokers. Residents need to have non-perishable items out in these areas tonight (Wednesday December 7), from 5.30pm.