Hamilton’s Combined Christian Foodbank Trust has received a major boost to its operations, thanks to a new refrigerated truck donated by Ebbett Automotive and Foton Trucks New Zealand.
The fully customised Foton truck, which includes refrigeration and a shelving fit-out, was officially handed over this week and is expected to make a tangible difference to the Foodbank’s ability to deliver perishable goods safely across the city.
The donation marks the latest step in a longstanding partnership between Ebbett Automotive and the Foodbank Trust, which spans nearly 17 years. Ebbett has previously gifted and maintained a Volkswagen Transporter van used for food parcel deliveries and grocery collections.
The latest sponsorship was sparked by the Foodbank’s desire to improve compliance with food safety regulations and expand the range of food it can offer — particularly meat and poultry — to those in need.
When approached, Ebbett Automotive chair Ben van den Engel moved quickly. A meeting was arranged with Foodbank manager Debbie Wilson and chairperson Scott Tiffany. Ebbett staff then worked with Foton Trucks New Zealand chief executive Roger Jory to supply a fully equipped vehicle, complete with a custom racking system designed by Birkett Motor Bodies.
From left: Ebbett Automotive chair Ben van den Engel, Hamilton Combined Christian Foodbank Trust manager Debbie Wilson and Foodbank Trust chairperson Scott Tiffany.
“We’re deeply grateful,” Wilson says.
“Ebbett has been a consistent and generous supporter for many years, and this truck is so much more than we could ever have hoped for.
“The racking system means we can now sort food parcels by centre, and the refrigeration allows us to transport perishables safely, even in summer heat. We’re overwhelmed,” she says.
“This support goes far beyond what we imagined,” added Tiffany.
“It enables us to serve vulnerable families in our community with greater efficiency and care. We simply cannot thank the team at Ebbett and Foton enough.”
Van den Engel says the company was proud to continue backing the trust.
“At Ebbett, we believe in supporting good people doing good work,” he says.
“The Hamilton Combined Christian Foodbank Trust has been serving this community faithfully for a long time, and we’ve been proud to walk alongside them. This truck is just another way we can help them carry their mission further – quite literally.”
