Pack the Bus success continues
The iconic annual Wellington charity initiative “Pack the Bus", run by The Breeze Wellington for the Wellington City
Mission’s Christmas Star Appeal, finishes on Friday.
For the past two weeks a decorative Go Wellington bus has been visiting supermarkets and schools, gathering food and new
toys for families who are most in need in the Greater Wellington region. The bus has been ably manned by a Go Wellington
driver, members of The Breeze and City Mission staff and, last but not least, Santa Claus himself.
Christmas can be a very competitive time for charities. But Pack the Bus, with the support of generous Wellingtonians,
has seen continued success year-on-year as it helps to fill The Mission’s Foodbank and provide hundreds of struggling
parents the opportunity to give gifts to their children on Christmas Day.
This year has seen a record response, with 3 giant bus-loads delivered to the Wellington City Mission. The final unpack will take place this Saturday 6 December, 9am, at the Wellington City Mission, Newtown.
"This year is bigger and better than ever – we’ve had more food and more toys packed onto our Go Wellington bus than
previous years. It’s shaping up to be a massive year for Pack the Bus and the Wellington City Mission.” The Breeze’s Stu
Smith proudly announces.
The Wellington City Mission offer their sincere thanks to Stu Smith and his team at The Breeze, Go Wellington and driver
Casey, participating Countdown, New World and PAK'nSAVE supermarkets, the children and teachers of the 30 participating
schools, and everyone else who generously donated food or toys.
Wellington City Mission’s CEO Michelle Branney says: “Supporters can all be proud of the fact that you have made this
Christmas special for so many families this holiday season. The food and toys will reach families in need either
directly via Mission staff or through one of the 35 agencies The Mission passes the goods on to for distribution.”
The public can still be a part of Pack the Bus right up until 24 December by helping to fill our virtual bus - simply text BUS to 4847 to donate $3.
Pack the Bus is one of the many Christmas Star Appeal activities. This Christmas, The Mission will distribute over 1,000 food parcels and at least 6,000 Christmas presents to struggling Wellington individuals and families. They will also personally deliver at least 100 of their special
“Christmas Day Hampers” to their clients, which contain everything a family needs to have a special Christmas Day at
home. The Mission will also continue to contribute to the well-being of around 600 people every day through The Mission’s five key programmes: Mission for Families, Youth, Independence and Seniors, and Kemp Home & Hospital.
ENDS