Food Parcels Are Welcome: Rotary Club Thanked

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22867, 10 February 1949, Page 4

Food Parcels Are Welcome: Rotary Club Thanked

That New Zealand food parcels are always welcome in England has been proved time and time again, but that they are even more welcome about Christmas time is amply illustrated in several letters recently received by the Gisborne Rotary Club. For some time the club has dispatched food parcels to the Bristol Rotary Club. England, leaving it to members of that club to distribute the parcels to deserving persons. Enclosed with a letter from the Bristol Rotary Club recently received by the Gisborne club were a number of letters of thanks from old people for the parcels they had sent in time for Christmas. The letter from the Bristol Rotary Club states:—

“You will be pleased to hear that we received 59 food parcels from your club in good condition just before Christmas and just in time to distribute them to the same number of needy persons Tn this city for Christmas. I enclose a few letters we received from the recipients, but in the majority of cases they are too old to write, but I can assure you they are most grateful for your club’s generosity. “We were disappointed that the cake you sent our members did not arrive in time for our Christmas luncheon, but it came just after the Christmas holidays and was distributed with due ceremony at our luncheon on January 3. It was partaken of by 140 Rotarians and our president passed your greetings and good wishes to our members, these being received with acclamation. “This very kindly gesture on the part of your club was really appreciated and I can assure you that the cake was delicious and very much enjoyed.” First Gift in 40 Years Letters from those who received the parcels all express gratitude to the New Zealand donors. “My wife and I wish to thank you for the gift parcel,” states one letter. “It is the first thing we have ever had given to us in our 40 years of married life, which we celebrate on December 22. It will be that little extra which we should not have got otherwise.” “Now I know the meaning of the expression, ‘Oh what transport of delight.’ To transport such gifts all that way must indeed be a delight,” states another letter. , A member of the Selby Rotary Club writes:— “You will perhaps be interested to hear that Mr. Strachey, the Minister of Food, opened an exhibition in London entitled, ‘Britain says thank you for millions of food gifts.’ Yes, parcels have been received from all corners of the Empire and we send to you the thanks of the people of Britain for the self-sacrifice and generosity which have meant welcome extras for a great number of those who need it most.”