Public Invited to Join in Horowhenua Health Centre Christmas Present Appeal and Foodbank Drive

24/11/2009 | Horowhenua Health Centre Christmas Appeal

The public is invited to join with MidCentral District Health Board staff in spreading some Christmas cheer to needy Horowhenua families in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Between Tuesday December 1, and Tuesday December 22, MDHB is running its annual foodbanks drive and appeal for Christmas presents at Horowhenua Health Centre, as well as at Palmerston North Hospital.

All gifts and food donated at the Horowhenua Health Centre, will be given to the Levin Salvation Army for distribution to local needy families.

Both new and pre-loved presents are greatly appreciated, however any pre-loved gifts need to be complete and in good condition. People are also encouraged to look at $2-type shops for inexpensive gifts.

Unwrapped gifts are perfectly acceptable and if presents are wrapped the public are asked indicate the appropriate gender and age of the recipient.

Staple, non-perishable foods, such as cereals, rice, pasta, spreads, milk powder, and tinned meat, fish, and vegetables are the most practical gifts to donate.  Packet or tinned soups, spaghetti and baked beans, Milo, coffee and tea bags are other useful items.  Toilet paper, cleaning products and toiletries, like shampoos are also welcome.

However, it would be nice to consider donating some Christmas treats – Christmas cakes, sweets, and other Christmas goodies.

At Palmerston North Hospital all gifts become part of the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, and presents will be distributed by the Salvation Army to needy families in the city and surrounding district. This is the sixth year MDHB has joined forces with Kmart and it hopes it will be able to match last year’s outstanding effort in collecting over 670 presents.

Last year’s hospital collection helped Kmart reach more than 4000 presents, the most of any Kmart store in New Zealand – a target it hopes to achieve again this year.