Q. I can’t drop my cans off on the day, can I still join in?
A. Yes! The foodbank is open Monday to Friday at 407 Moray Place next to First Church and they will accept your donations. Let them know your organisation's name and that the cans are for OCTACAN so we can include them in our final count. As a last resort we can organise to have your cans collected during OCTACAN and included in the final count, however, as a charity we have limited resources and time for staff to collect cans. Pick–ups of 50+ cans must be arranged by Friday 16 June by emailing us on octacan@psotago.org.nz or call 03 477 7115.
Q. What items are needed most?
A. Meals in a can, beans, tinned meat/fish, tear top cans are all helpful. Download the foodbank's most needed list
Q. Can I donate other non-can food items?
A. Yes, other non-perishable, un-opened items can be donated. Eg. Packets of pasta or 2 minute noodles, cereal boxes, rice, coffee or tea etc.
Q. Can I donate money instead of cans?
A. Yes, please donate online or pop by the foodbank between Monday and Friday at 407 Moray Place, next to First Church.
Q. I missed OCTACAN and have cans to donate, can I still join in?
A. We always welcome donations, they can be made directly to the foodbank Monday to Friday at 407 Moray Place next to First Church.
Q. Do you pick up can donations from businesses?
A. OCTACAN is an event that encourages people to come to the Octagon to make their donation. As a charity we have limited resources and time for staff to collect cans, this takes staff away from essential community work. As a last resort we can organise to have your cans collected during OCTACAN and included in the final count. Pick–ups of 50+ cans must be arranged by Friday 16 June by emailing us on octacan@psotago.org.nz or calling 03 477 7115.
Q. What will the food be used for?
A. The food will be used throughout the rest of the year to make emergency food parcels for Dunedin’s most vulnerable people.
Q. What goes into an emergency food parcel?
A. Depending on time of year and what we have available we tend to put together parcels that will last for about 3-4 days for an individual or family. Food parcels could include: canned ingredients to make a meal, soup, breakfast cereal, spread, sugar, tea, flour, toilet rolls, biscuits, tinned fruit and tinned vegetables, 2 minute noodles, soap, washing powder, eggs* bread*, milk*, meat* and fresh produce*. (*Depending on what is available)
Q. What is the best container to collect/deliver our cans in?
A. Banana boxes are the best as they are strong and durable. For health and safety reasons we recommend 30 standard cans per box (or 50 cans if they are the small tins like baby food, fish etc). Most supermarkets are happy to give you banana boxes.
Q. How long do OCTACAN cans last for?
A. Donations made over OCTACAN usually see the foodbank through until our Christmas appeal. We cannot accept out of date, rusted, opened items or food without labels.
Q. I would like to volunteer.
A. We are looking for OCTACAN event volunteers to welcome and thank people for their donation as well as help count and sort the donations. This would be for about 2 - 5 hours on Thursday 22 June (between the hours of 7am and 3pm). Please note: there is some bending and lifting of up to 10kg involved. Contact us on octacan@psotago.org.nz or call 03 477 7115.
Q. I have another question that isn’t covered here.
A. Sorry about that. If there is anything else you would like to know, please email us on octacan@psotago.org.nz or call 03 477 7115.