Our giving tree is back and set up at reception.

This year we are collecting donations of nonperishable food items for families who might go without this Christmas.

At the end of the school year (Friday 10th December) all food items that are donated will be given to the Christchurch City Mission.

Sadly it is food that gets the lowest priority when families have serious money troubles. Rent, power, school costs, health costs all come first.

Families and individuals struggling to feed themselves contact the City Mission who interview them about their circumstances and then help them with emergency food.

The Missions current wishlist, which some of our school community may be able to help out with, is for:

• Tinned fish

• Infant formula

• Sweet biscuits

• Soup (canned, tinned or packet)

• Crackers or other snacks

• Canned food e.g. spaghetti, baked beans, lentils etc

Food poverty can strike everywhere

All kinds of families from all parts of Christchurch come to the City Mission for food to help them through tough patches. As a school community it would great if we could get behind the school values of Manaakitanga and Aroha at this time of year and do our bit to help others.