Mayor presents Food Bank with $10,000 cheque - 9/03/2010

Mayor Michael Laws will today present Rev. Gene Lawrence, Board Chairperson, Christian Social Services Wanganui with a cheque for $10,000.

The money, from the Mayoral Relief Fund, is the result of a successful joint Council and Christian Social Services Wanganui Food Bank campaign, launched in October 2009. The campaign included matching a $10,000, ‘dollar for dollar’ appeal from the Mayoral Relief Fund.

On December 23 a gift of a $250 Pak n Save gift card took the Food Bank campaign total to just over $10,000. Today’s cheque presentation will bring the Food Bank appeal total to $20,000.

Mayor Michael is delighted with the fantastic support from the people of Wanganui to the campaign.

“Every day between October and December last year members of the public walked into the City Mission and gave money – from the smallest donation of $3 to a couple of donations of $500 and $800.

“Food Bank is a vital local initiative that helps the tummy and then starts assisting with budgetary skills - this is a practical charity.”

The City Mission is getting busier with a large increase in people needing food parcels as a result of the tough economic times. City Mission estimates they have given out $144,000 worth of food in 2009.

ENDS