Police, fire and St John staff in the Western Bay will reach out to the community next month to help support local food banks.

The Emergency Services Food Bank Drive will be taking place on Tuesday, December 8, from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Western Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton with the haul from last year's food drive. Photo: File.

'As Emergency Services staff and volunteers move through a number of Western Bay of Plenty communities, it is likely you will hear the sirens and loud hailers upon the collectors entering your street,” says Western Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Clifford Paxton.

'Please feel free to approach the collectors with food donations for the Salvation Army and other local food banks.”

Clifford says at this time of the year, food banks come under increasing pressure and will gratefully accept all food donations.

Included can be powdered milk/long life milk, tinned fish and meats, instant cooked rice, fruit Juice, muesli bars and other items that help make up food parcels.

If community members are unlikely to be home on the above date, a drop box will be set up in the Katikati, Tauranga South, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Te Puke Police Stations between December 1 and December 9.

'Thank you in advance for helping us to help our communities and local food banks in the Western Bay of Plenty at this time of the year,” says Clifford.