Volunteers with available fences and time are needed across Papamoa for the 2023 Emergency Services Food Drive, which is fast approaching.

“Do you have a fence in a high traffic location, or a business with high foot traffic that we can put a sign up for a couple of weeks until the food drive?” says Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support coordinator Bruce Banks.

Ambulances, fire trucks, police and community patrol, as well as staff from Fisheries, Emergency Management, USAR and other services are set to go out collecting non-perishable food from residents through the streets of Papamoa from 6pm on Tuesday, December 6.

“We will soon be reaching out for volunteers for this amazing event, but in the meantime we have some coreflute signs that we need to place in prominent locations around Papamoa.”

Bruce says the signs are A1 size  --  850mm x 600mm.

“Please get in touch as soon as possible if you have a great spot for one of these.”

Sirens & Services Koha Ice Cream Day

On Sunday, November 19, the Sirens & Services Koha Ice Cream Day is being held from 10am – 2pm at the Papamoa Sports & Recreation Centre, Gordon Spratt Reserve.

“We need volunteers to help on the day for this family-friendly event,” says event coordinator Rebecca Larsen. “Can you offer a bit of your time?”

To help please contact Rebecca Larsen on events@wbopns.org.nz to find out more.

Papamoa Food Hub

“The recent public meeting to establish the Papamoa Food Hub was a great success, and we now have a volunteer base exceeding 50 people,” says Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support coordinator Bruce Banks.

“Work is progressing well on the confirmation of a foundation committee who will see this come to fruition.”

A call was sent out to the community in October asking volunteers to rally and help establish a new Papamoa Food Hub.

“Like any new support service the Papamoa Food Hub will be very dependent on our community for financial support,” says Bruce.

Bruce personally put up the first $1000 for the initiative.

“Since then two very generous people have matched my donation. There have also been a couple of smaller donations that we are appreciative of.”

Bruce says while this is a great start so much more is needed for this to be a success.

“Being a charity all donations are eligible for a Tax Donation at the end of the financial year. You can make a donation into the account  06-0188-0041612-55 -- Papamoa Food Hub.”

To contact Bruce Banks to find out more email nspapamoa@wbopns.org.nz or phone 027 271 3772