The Octacan collection for Presbyterian Support Otago’s Family Works foodbank has been a fantastic success.
Over 14,000 cans and food items were donated during Octacan, on Thursday 22 June 2017. Additional donations will come in over the next few days, with a number of schools holding mufti days on Thursday and Friday so the total will be announced next week.
After Samuel Rosser (Year 3 Mornington School), Maddy Winslade (Year 5, St Clair Primary School), Aya Oseki (Year 6 St Brigid’s School) and Noah Oseki (Year 9 Otago Boys High School) placed the first cans at 7.30am it was all hands to the cans, as donations were placed inside eight heart shapes.
Across the morning, the lower Octagon was taken over as school groups, community organisations, businesses, families and members of the public, donated thousands of cans.
Councillor Damian Newell was among the many people who came by with a donation.
“The need is great and I’m aware that these cans won’t last too long in the foodbank. The work that Presbyterian Support does is truly amazing,” said Damian.
Debbie Gelling, Family Works Social Work Supervisor, said, “Thank you to everyone who made a donation this year. Every can makes a difference for someone who needs it, and it’s always incredible to see the community come together to support our Octacan.”
“Thanks to the generosity of the community we will have enough cans to add to food parcels right through until the end of the year.”
“Our foodbank continues to be a critical service for the community and demand continues to increase.”
This was the ninth Octacan run by Presbyterian Support Otago, and each year the event has seen a huge amount of community support.
In addition to the cans donated today, over $1,850 was generously given to the foodbank at collection points across the city.
Octacan is one of the most community important events held by Presbyterian Support Otago each year. The Family Works foodbank distributes 10,000 items in emergency food parcels each month. This includes, tinned, packaged and perishable food items.
