A generous donation by a Waihī businessman will see 115 families enjoying a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings this Christmas.
Harminder Singh, owner of New World Waihī, has donated $10,500 worth of food to the Salvation Army, to be distributed to families before Christmas Day. The goods were ordered by the Salvation Army to fill their Christmas hampers. Harminder offered to donate the entire order, saying he believed everyone deserves to feel good on Christmas.
“The spirit of Christmas … It’s about giving, isn’t it? That’s what it’s all about for me anyway, being brought up as a Christian all my life,” Harminder said.
“It’s about giving to others who haven’t got it, and for them to enjoy Christmas as much as we do.”
Among the items donated were chickens, roast vegetables, pavlova, basic staple items such as milk, sugar and coffee, and some extra treats like biscuits and chocolate.
Salvation Army Waihī’s Lt Corps Officer Alanah Moody said the organisation was thrilled to receive the generous contribution, especially as food was one of their biggest costs.
“A lot of these families are struggling just week-to-week, let alone at Christmas, and for families to be given – not just normal food but to create a meal that’s beautiful for Christmas … for these people that can’t afford to do that themselves that’s everything for them,” she said.
“Our families feel a lot of pressure to be able to create a day for their kids that other kids get to experience and talk about at school. It’s really hard for them and they feel such a burden when they can’t provide that themselves.”
