ToolShed donation supports Salvation Army and whānau in need

A campaign involving industrial wet wipes has resulted in a $15,000 donation from The ToolShed to The Salvation Army.

The nationwide campaign marks the first time The ToolShed has worked with The Salvation Army. According to General Manager Brent Giles, it was The Salvation Army’s mission to support people in need—particularly at a time when so many people are doing it tough amid a deepening cost-of-living crisis—that tugged at their heartstrings.

A total of 1248 wipes were sold at The ToolShed’s 29 stores across the motu. Every cent of the $12 price of the wipes went to The Salvation Army.

Salvation Army Corporate Partnerships and Relationships Manager Jocelyn Brice says the money will be used for providing families with food. “This type of support from businesses provides important funds to our foodbanks, helping them continue to fight hunger and strengthen our community.”

To encourage a larger donation, Giles says a competition was held to see which ToolShed store could sell the most wipes as a percentage of total sales. The winner was their smallest store, located in Oamaru. Giles says the win speaks to the support of the Oamaru community for The Salvation Army.

Giles says it’s important to support organisations like The Salvation Army that work to uplift people and their whānau going through tough times. “It’s about people helping people. This has the run-on effect of helping the community.”

A cheque was presented to The Salvation Army at The ToolShed’s head office in Te Rapa, Hamilton on 8 October. Giles says he hopes other businesses and organisations will also do what they can to support The Salvation Army and local charities.

Brice says support is welcome, urging businesses and organisations to contact partnering@salvationarmy.org.nz to discuss ways to help. “The Salvation Army's approach is to provide wraparound support through a wide range of services. This gives all our families the best opportunity to step out of crisis and into resilience.”

The Salvation Army Territorial Media Officer, 021 945 337, email: media@salvationarmy.org.nz (The Media Officer responds to enquiries from media outlets and journalists. If you would like to donate, are in need of help, or have some other non-media-related enquiry, please call 0800 53 00 00.)