Sirens will be blaring throughout Pāpāmoa this evening. But don't be alarmed. Emergency services will be going up and down the streets collecting for the annual food bank drive.

Fire engines, ambulances, police vehicles will be blaring their sirens to indicate the presence in the neighbourhood.

"Our volunteers will be out on every Pāpāmoa street this evening collection donations for the new Pāpāmoa Food Hub," says Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support coordinator Bruce Banks.

"All donations will be distributed to those Pāpāmoa residents that need a bit of a hand up from time to time."

Items that will be collected by the emergency services and volunteers include:

• Food with good shelf life (not close dated or expired)
• Canned goods
• Pasta & rice
• Cleaning products
• Toiletries & personal care
• Baby & Nursey items
• Sanitary products
• Pet food (not needing refrigerating)

"If you won't be home please leave your donations at your gate or by your letterbox before 5.30pm.

"Our collectors will not come to your door, so leave your goodies in plain sight."

Bruce says they don't want to seem ungrateful but they espectfully ask for no expired items, fresh food, or frozen food.

"It costs hundreds of dollars to dump these items each year," says Bruce.

He says an alternative would be cash.

"Monetary donations will also keep us stocked with fresh and frozen food in the new year."

You can donate cash on the night or directly into the bank account: Pāpāmoa Food Hub  06 0188 0041612 55

"After the Food Drive we need quite a lot of people to help up until December 20, to sort and box the donations ready for storage.

"Shifts are about three hours long so if you can help please let us know your availability and Katrina will sort out a roster."

To join the roster to help sort and box the donations ready for storage, contact Katrina on [email protected]

The Pāpāmoa Emergency Services Food Drive starts at 6pm, Tuesday, December 5.