PRESS RELEASE – Date 3rd May 2020
Grant and Cherie McQuoid understand more than most how challenging COVID-19 is for small and medium sized business. The couple own and operate the Thrifty Car Rental franchise based at Hawke’s Bay Airport. As a business that relies primarily on tourism and business travel, things have ground to a near standstill as New Zealand battles the pandemic.
Despite the difficult trading environment, the McQuoid’s have remained positive and in doing so challenged themselves to reimagine how their rental fleet and staff could be used to add value in other ways while their core business is disrupted.
The McQuoid’s were aware of the valuable role that the Salvation Army play in the community and encouraged their local branch manager Rachael Bateman to reach out and explore ways that they could possibly work together. This led to a conversation with Stephen Wallis, Community Team Leader for the Salvation Army, and a plan was hatched.
The Napier Salvation Army Foodbank is always on the lookout for good quality non-perishable food, and demand has never been stronger as people struggle during the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst there are always people keen to donate, one of the issues in the current environment is the ability for people to safely deliver items – this is where the Thrifty team are helping out. “The idea is to utilise our people and our cars to assist where we can” says Grant.
The team wants to rally the community to contribute food items and then liaise directly with donors to co-ordinate their collection and delivery to the Salvation Army in a contactless manner. To make the process as efficient as possible, local groups of friends or families are encouraged to band together and assign a common pick-up point. “This could involve members leaving their donations at the group leader’s driveway or doorstep” says Rachael. “This would make pick-up easier but also ensure social distancing measures are observed”. Once items are ready for collection the group leader can then email or text their address details to the Thrifty team so that collection can be arranged.
If you have food items that you would like to contribute, please contact Rachel Bateman from Thrifty Hawke’s Bay on 027 733 0306 or email [email protected] to coordinate pick-up.
PLEASE NOTE: PREFERRED ITEMS INCLUDE TINNED FOOD, SPAGHETTI, BAKED BEANS, READY MEALS, RICE RISOTTO, PASTA MEALS, PASTA AND RICE.