Students band together for foodbank drive

Otago Daily Times

28-05-2025

St Joseph's Cathedral School pupil Katherine Binu, 11, holds some items from the collection in front of her peers from other Dunedin Catholic schools including Trinity Catholic College and St Francis Xavier School yesterday. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
A Dunedin foodbank has been overwhelmed by a combined collection by Catholic schools from across the city.
The nine schools in the Dunedin Catholic Schools Kāhui Ako collected food for St Vincent de Paul's Dunedin foodbank for Catholic Schools Day yesterday.
St Joseph's Cathedral School principal Jo Stanley said the day was a chance for the schools to showcase their Catholic values and get involved with the community.
''Social justice and caring for others is a big part of who we are as Catholics.
''We wanted to show the Dunedin community how we shine together as Catholic schools,'' she said.
Ms Stanley said St Vincent de Paul youth co-ordinator Jo Bell said the donations would go towards feeding the homeless and filling children's lunch boxes, so items that did not need to be cooked in a kitchen and could fit in containers were preferred.
The students and pupils were encouraged to empathise with the homeless and other children their age and consider what would be easily consumed by them.
Ms Bell said the charitable organisation was overwhelmed with the quantity and types of items brought in yesterday.
''Our children are great examples of generosity and care for others.
''Their enthusiasm inspires us to continue to work for change.''
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