The Salvation Army has teamed up with Community Networks Wānaka to support families in the Upper Clutha over the festive season by donating $1,000 worth of supermarket vouchers to support those in need.

Community Networks food security project coordinator Daisy Watford said the vouchers would help make up Christmas dinner hampers - including meat, vegetables and festive desserts - to be distributed to local families in the week leading up to Christmas.

“We are so grateful to the Salvation Army for supporting us this year. It’s been a busy year and donations like this make all the difference,” Daisy said.

Every year, the Community Networks Foodbank provides hampers alongside staple food items at Christmas.

“Over the last few months, we’ve been making changes to our systems to help us be more efficient, keeping the foodbank stocked with staple items that families need on a daily basis, including meat, dairy, fresh produce and lunchbox snacks,” Daisy said.

“Instead of a Christmas Foodbank drive, we are asking for cash donations to help us purchase food for the Christmas period and beyond. People can either visit New World Three Parks and pick a gift voucher from a Christmas tree or donate via our Give a Little page.”

On average, a standard food parcel for a family of four costs $100 while a Christmas dinner hamper is around $50.

Community Networks has received a huge amount of support so far, Daisy said. 

This includes a local businessman donating $2,000 worth of Lions’ Christmas Cakes to the foodbank and local businesses; the Donnelly Property Team donating 20 Christmas hams; the Upper Clutha Community Christmas Trust raising $1,000 through their annual Santa’s Grotto; the Wānaka Rotary Club for collecting children’s books; and Ray White Wānaka collecting unwrapped gifts for local children through their Little Ray of Giving campaign.

“The support from the community this year has been incredible. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. Any donation, big or small, helps us keep our shelves stocked all year round,” Daisy said.

PHOTO: Supplied