SunLive met with community manager Sarah Way on December 10 to distribute food and toys for the Salvation Army’s Christmas party.

By the time we arrived, the organisation had already assisted 15 families.

“We will help at least 100 families in three days,” Way said.

The Christmas party centred on connection. Instead of people just taking food and leaving, Way and the Salvation Army team provided drinks, snacks and conversation.

“It is important that we found out what’s happening in their lives, not just meet the need and go ‘see you later’,” Way said.

The team at the Salvation Army receive the food from the December 3 food drive.

The food was collected during the Emergency Services foodbank drive on December 3, and the toys were donated via the K-mart Wishing Tree.

Invites were sent out to various clients using a spreadsheet, Salvation Army team member Mike Kemp said.

The need to feed families and provide additional support has increased since Kemps’s time with the Salvation Army.

“If we had a season, this would be it,” he said.

Much of the blame for the increase can be placed on various organisations around Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty not receiving government funding, meaning many had to shut their doors, according to Way.

“We’re all in the same boat. We’re in the same waka to meet the demand.”

The Salvation Army and the Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust work together to support vulnerable young people around Tauranga.

While at the Salvation Army, a group led by Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust operations manager Mark Inman arrived to receive presents and enjoy Christmas.

“Quite often, as those that miss out cherish Christmas the most,” Inman said.

The Salvation Army and the Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust work together to support young people facing hardship.

Left to right Tai, Wai, Gibby, Tyrese are supported by the Youth Development Trust and came into Salvation Army Tauranga to get food and toys for their whānau.

“These kids don’t have a great voice in the community sometimes, and this relationship ensures they have wraparound services if needed,” he said.

The Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust offers seven programmes, including the Tauranga Boxing Academy’s, Aiga, Imagine Believe Achieve, Te Hono, Ki Tai, Te Ara Kaha and Te Ara Kaha, group facilitator Awhina Savage said.

“Success can look different for young people, so it might not always be work, it might be further education, or supporting healthy living,” she said.

“We can get them moving in the right direction as much as possible in 10 weeks.”

One of the young people that Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust supports looks through a box of presents.

The gifts and foods donated by the Salvation Army give the children they work with a chance to support their families and spend time together, she said.

“Just the extra bit of support to take the off pressure, and takes a little bit of the burden off their shoulders.”