Timaru’s community Christmas dinner has received $1000, and Temuka’s community Christmas dinner and the inaugural Fairlie seniors Christmas dinner $500 each from Craigs Investment Partners’ staff payroll giving initiative.
Christchurch-based investment adviser Phill Kinney said staff from around New Zealand took part in the "staff giving" initiative each year and the company matched their giving dollar-for-dollar.
The company then partnered with community foundations — including the Aoraki Foundation in South Canterbury — to identify worthwhile recipients.
Mr Kinney said it was one of the nicest ways the company could make a contribution, as it was driven by its staff.
"And for South Canterbury this year, there might be a few more people around the table."
Aoraki Foundation Gift and community adviser Kirsty Burnett said Craigs Investment Partners were a great example of how payroll giving could make a huge impact in the community, showing how a little bit from each week’s pay could really make a big difference.
Timaru Christmas Community Dinner organiser Kiel Waite said he wanted to thank the company for once again donating to the Timaru community Christmas dinner.
"We appreciate all the support from Phill and the rest of the team. These Christmas events run on donations and volunteers; without them we wouldn’t be able to have such a successful day."
Temuka Community Christmas Dinner organiser Karen McKlintock said the dinner was important for the town’s older residents.
"We often have families come down for Christmas to visit grandma ... and they all come along with the kids."
Co-ordinator Jocelyn McKay said she had become involved for her children’s sake.
"I wanted to teach them that there are other families that aren’t as fortunate as we are to have all our family around at Christmas time."
Fairlie Resource Centre manager Gina Kilmister said the resource centre was delighted to hold the senior Christmas lunch early in December.
"We receive a lot of help from our small rural community to run the lunch and it is a fantastic way to create connections while supporting our very important seniors within the community."
"[This financial support] has given us the opportunity to make this event more affordable and festive for everyone who comes along," she said
