Dunedin schools have started competing with each other — unofficially — to see who can collect the most canned goods for today’s Presbyterian Support Otago Kai for Octacan annual foodbank appeal.
Taieri College’s student council collected 2800 cans, but King’s High School’s student council has one-upped their effort by collecting 5375 cans for the appeal.
King’s council teacher in charge James McPherson said he was "incredibly proud" of what the boys had pulled off.
"It’s a massive step up from what we collected last year."
But he was also humble about the number of cans the school had collected.
"We’re just trying to do our bit for the community.
"We want to make sure that we’re helping out everyone that we can and make sure that Dunedin families can get through the cold winter months."
While the pupils were not treating it as a competition, he hoped their haul would inspire other schools to match it, or if possible, beat it.
"If what we do here can get some other schools moving a bit, that would be awesome.
"I know that a lot of schools do a really good job on the appeal — we see that down at the Octagon every year.
"It’s just nice to see everyone pulling together and helping each other out."
Mr McPherson said the can appeal could be "life changing" for a lot of Dunedin families.
"It has a massive impact.
"Even if it’s just a once-off, where you’re short of food, it can be enough to get you through a hard time.
"But for some other families that need a constant top-up, it means they don’t have to worry too much about food and they can actually get on with their lives."
Cans from schools across the city will be collected in the Octagon today, and members of the public can also make can donations between 7.30am and 2pm.
