New World stores are gearing up for the annual Brown Paper Bag Appeal, as thousands of the specially designed bags are distributed throughout the South Island.
Of the 145,000 bags, 118,000 will be delivered inside newspapers, and 27,000 more sent out to the 41 New World supermarkets that are located around the island.
Now it’s up to Mainlanders to fill the bags with food and other household essentials, then leave them at their nearest New World store for delivery to a local foodbank.
Tim Donaldson, General Manager Retail, Foodstuffs South Island, says the annual foodbank appeal is one way New World supermarkets give back to their local communities. “Our stores have a strong community focus simply because they’re owned by locals, staffed by locals and where possible, stocked by local suppliers,” Donaldson says.
“Many already support food rescue programmes by sending food to charities, rather than throwing it away. This appeal lets them put their community connections and logistical expertise to good use; by asking shoppers to make a donation, then sending those donations to where they’re needed most.”
More than 66,000 of the paper bags are destined for Christchurch – inside The Press and at the wider city’s 15 New World stores – from where the donated items will be sent to the Christchurch City Mission.
Matthew Mark, Christchurch City Missioner, says the appeal is the Christchurch City Mission’s largest direct connection with the Christchurch community. “Any donations, practical or financial, are significant in enabling us to serve those in our community who are most in need. The preferred donations for the paper bags are non-perishable foods and hygiene products. We’re also appealing for direct monetary donations, with an aspirational goal to raise $40,000 this year.”
More than 78,000 bags will be sent to other South Island centres: 14,000 distributed amongst 26 New World stores, and 64,500 as inserts inside these publications:
- Timaru Herald – 8,000
- Nelson Mail – 8,000
- Marlborough Express – 5,000
- Otago Daily Times – 24,000
- Southland Times – 16,000
- Greymouth Star – 3,500
Outside Christchurch, each New World store will be responsible for delivering the filled paper bags to their local foodbank.
