For 164 years the Launceston community has responded when City Mission has sounded the call for assistance.
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This year a growing client base coupled with the arrival of winter has resulted in a high demand being placed on the service.
The Examiner has partnered with City Mission in an effort to collect 5000 food items to help its clients get through the cold season.
The drive, dubbed Mission Possible, is a six-week campaign to inspire residents of Northern Tasmania to donate non-perishable food items that can be passed onto individuals and families in need.
Schools, businesses and community groups are urged to join Mission Possible and donate as many items as possible during the campaign, from May 1 to June 11.
A leaderboard will proudly display the most successful collectors.
City Mission chief executive Stephen Brown hoped the partnership with The Examiner would increase donations to the organisation.
Mr Brown said as the largest emergency relief service in Launceston, the organisation played an important community role.
Ideal items for donation will have a long shelf life and be more exciting than baked beans and canned soup.
“We’re going to be providing a list as part of the program for non-perishable goods and that will include cereals and other items that you would find in the supermarket that might be a little more expensive,” Mr Brown said.
The service is also seeking donations of pharmaceutical goods or items that support women with babies.
The Examiner managing editor Mark Baker said Northern Tasmania had always supported people in its community who were doing it tough.
"Northern Tasmania is incredibly generous when it comes to supporting The Examiner's Winter Relief and Empty Stocking Appeal and more recently our Flood Relief Appeal," Mr Baker said.
"We're sure the community will be just as generous with the Mission Possible campaign and we are encouraging schools, businesses and community groups to get on board.
"The ability to give where you live and know your donation is helping people in your community is very rewarding."
Each winter City Mission experiences an increase in demand for emergency relief when residents usually receive larger household bills.
“We have a lot of need in our community and really it’s a fantastic thing when the community can start to work together to solve its issues for itself,” Mr Brown said.
Donations can be left at City Mission before other drop-off locations are launched next week.
- Read our editorial on the importance of supporting local charities, page 19.