Santa's big food drive

FOOD APPEAL: Orewa Baptist Church associate pastor Paul Collins, and Diane Osborne and Leanne Smith from Destination Orewa Beach are asking Orewa Santa Parade crowds to donate an item of non-perishable food.

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Bring a can of food to the Orewa Santa Parade this weekend - that's what the Hibiscus Coast Churches are asking.

The group has organised a food drive for the second year as a precursor to the parade, and needs non-perishable items.

"The economic downturn has had a huge effect on our Hibiscus Coast community," says Leanne Smith from Destination Orewa Beach.

"Christmas is only weeks away and for many Hibiscus Coast families this will be a particularly stressful time. When things get tough communities pull together."

All food collected will go to Orewa and Hibiscus Coast families.

"Christmas is spiritually a time for giving and looking after one another," says Orewa Baptist Church associate pastor Paul Collins.

"Orewa Baptist wants to represent the Hibiscus Coast Churches and so is getting in behind this community event and offering its assistance to the whole community."

Local businesses have already climbed on board with parade sponsor Orewa New World donating food, Metro-
Waste providing wheelie bins for the food drive and Fence and Gate providing a truck for use. Southside Group, property owner of The Village Orewa, is providing storage.

For information and donations call Diane or Leanne on 426-2638.

For community assistance call Orewa Baptist Church on 426-6976 or email office@orewabaptist.org.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News