More than 100 books were dropped at The Hub Te Puke..

They will be added to the Christmas parcels that are being distributed to needy families by The Hub ahead of Christmas.

The books came from a Te Puke Paper Plus initiative, donated by customers in what owner Stuart Gunn said was a vehicle that smoothed the path to making it happen.

The 116 books, plus other toys and games, were bought in the store by customers who received a 25% discount.

“I just want to say ‘thank you, Te Puke’,” said Gunn.

He said he was amazed by how well the initiative went, and that it would be repeated in 2026.

“I believe it will go a lot bigger next year because this was just the Trojan horse – just showing people what we can do – it’s going to be something we keep doing, but I’m very pleased for a first run.”

Gunn said he hoped other businesses would get on board with similar initiatives in future.

“What we’ve got here isn’t massive, but if more people did these sorts of things, then it would be massive.”

The Hub social worker Georgie Pitman said it was the ninth year of sending out pre-Christmas parcels.

Pitman said she was always astounded by the generosity of the community.

“I’m always amazed by who walks in with what, from donations like this to people that come in with things they’ve made. There are so many people that need to be acknowledged.”

Among them were the staff at the local Ministry of Social Development offices and residents at Bupa Te Puke, who collected gifts to donate to The Hub.