Wanganui South Rotary - planning and collaboration to help others in need

Preparation is key to a successful project. 

It was a great time to visit Wanganui South Rotary last week as I was able to hear about the planning that goes into the annual food bank drive that they have coordinated for the past 25 years.  I was impressed with the preparation that goes in to making this drive so successful.  They coordinate drivers, collectors, both Rotarians and non rotarians, as well as students from Wanganui Collegiate.  

Health and safety is an important part of the preparation with briefings before and on the day.



The other Rotary Clubs in Wanganui all lend a hand, which is a great example of Clubs collaborating for the greater good.  The Wanganui Clubs also share fund raising from car parking for the riverbank markets. As part of the World's Greatest Meal, all of the Wanganui Clubs will also be collaborating to arrange a meal to raise funds to eradicate polio and a thousand people are likely to participate.  

This year's collection on the 20th October proved to be very successful and the amount of food collected surpassed other years.  Wanganui South Rotary had wonderful help in advertising the event through the local press and radio stations as well as sandwich boards in supermarket entrances.

This is only one project that Wanganui South Rotary carries out each year.  They provide meals for needy families at Christmas, support Emergency Response Kits, support all of the Rotary youth programmes by sponsoring students, provide scholarships for tertiary students and to the Walsh Flying School to name but a few.

Whanganui City Mission guests speak to Rotarians about the food bank drive.