New World customers in Wānaka have donated almost 700 shopping bags filled with essential groceries to the local foodbank in this year’s Family2Family foodbank appeal.

At New World Three Parks, customers donated 309 bags and at New World Wānaka shoppers donated another 380 bags across the month-long appeal.

That’s a total of almost 700 bags, and an additional 200 bags compared to last year. 

Local donations from this year’s appeal have already been delivered to the Upper Clutha’s only foodbank, the Community Link Wānaka Foodbank.

“All donations have gone to Wānaka Foodbank and the support means more families in our community will have access to the essentials they need this winter,” New World Three Parks owner operator Dean Bartley said. 

New World Three Parks also made a $2,000 cash donation.

Community Link foodbank coordinator Nicola Plumridge thanked the Wānaka community and the local New World supermarkets for their support of the Family2Family appeal. 

“These donations make a significant difference to our foodbank shelves as we go into the winter months,” she told the Wānaka App. 

“With demand for the foodbank having doubled in the last two years, the need in the community is greater than ever. Thanks Wanaka!”

The Wānaka Foodbank provides food parcels to people in the community who are struggling to make ends meet.

Members of the community can sign up to access the foodbank by contacting the Community Networks team or dropping in to the foodbank at the Wānaka Community Hub. 

Find more information about the Wānaka Foodbank and its open hours here.

PHOTO: Wānaka App