Mark your calendars and get ready to pop your donation by the letterbox as the community drive rolls around again next Wednesday.

Property Brokers residential/lifestyle sales consultant Dawn Turnbull has worked on the can collection for the past five years doing a range of tasks, including media advertising and promotions, putting up posters, keeping community groups updated, and coordinating meetings and briefing volunteers.

This year, the Cromwell drive will benefit Whānau Awhina Plunket as well as the Cromwell foodbank, Dawn said.

“Because last year we were so inundated with canned food for the foodbank, I approached Plunket and they’ll be supported this year too.

“Plunket does so much to support families in our community.”

Donated nappies will go to local families in need via Plunket, thanks to the Cromwell Community Drive next Wednesday December 4. PHOTO: istock 

“[For Cromwell] it’s been called a ‘Community Drive’, it’s become more than a can drive,” Dawn said. 

Along with canned food, toiletries, nappies, wipes, deodorant, personal care products and toilet paper would be gratefully received and would go to help families in the area.

Cromwell residents need to put out items at the end of driveways or near mailboxes to support the collection, prior to pick up time on Wednesday December 4 at 6pm.

Dawn and helpers from First National would be sorting items by hand, making sure the right goods get to the foodbank and Plunket. 

Residents needed to be aware sirens would be on to alert people to the collection and students and scouts would be following vehicles on foot picking up items. 

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

She thanked Scouts and Forage Cafe, along with Cromwell Police, St John and Fire and Emergency New Zealand for providing vehicles.

Alexandra and Clyde also have an opportunity to help stock the shelves of the local food banks with their own can collection, also supported by Property Brokers.

Residents need to have non-perishable items out in these areas on Wednesday December 4, from 5.30pm.

All the canned food donated in Alexandra and Clyde goes to local food banks.

For information contact Dawn Turnbull on 027 508 0944.

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