The collection of donations for this year’s Octacan foodbank appeal took place yesterday in the Octagon. Presbyterian Support Otago supporter engagement manager Jude McCracken said it was on track to beat last year’s numbers.
Its goal this year was 20,000 cans, which would exceed last year’s total of 18,000. This looked promising as it received some large donations, she said.
Ministers from First Church even turned up unexpectedly to sizzle up a sausage or two.
"It’s so heartwarming — the community are right behind Octacan and they have been for the last 16 years," Mrs McCracken said.
The donated cans had been arranged into groups of stars to represent the Matariki cluster, named after the Māori new year, which is the time of year when harvest would have traditionally happened.
She said if anyone wanted to give more cans, they could bring them directly to the Presbyterian Support Centre in Moray Pl or donate via its online giving portal.
