The Hawaiian Giving Box campaign is well underway helping to give Perth families in need a happier Christmas.

The campaign kicked off in late November and the response so far has been outstanding.

Hawaiian has once again joined forces with community partners Foodbank WA and Anglicare WA with our big giving boxes placed at major Hawaiian shopping centres, office buildings and local primary schools.

The Hawaiian Giving Box schools campaign ran for the last two weeks of November involving 3,500 students across 16 primary schools, collecting 1.5 tonnes of food, toys, clothes and other items for Foodbank WA and Anglicare WA, that’s more than triple last year’s effort.

Participating schools included Ashfield Primary School, Kiara Girls Academy, Bassendean Primary School, West Beechboro Primary School, Weld Square Primary School, North Morley Primary School, Noranda Child Care, Mt Hawthorn Primary School, Aranmore Catholic Primary School, Bicton Primary School, East Vic Park Primary School, Bentley Primary School, Carlisle Primary School, Vic Park Christian School, Heritage College, Dalkeith Primary School.

Hawaiian’s shopping centre campaign runs through to 6 January 2018, so far this year 10,651 meals and 5,651 toys and gifts have been donated.

The Perth Wildcats also partnered with this year’s campaign, asking fans to bring a can to the game against the Brisbane Bullets, raising 1,176 meals.

Hawaiian CEO Russell Gibbs said each Christmas thousands of Perth families struggle with the reality of not being able to provide a special dinner for their family or put a gift under the Christmas tree.

“The generosity of the Perth community never ceases to amaze me.  Hawaiian is honoured to be able to provide some support to members of the community who may be finding it difficult at this time of year,” Mr Gibbs said.

Foodbank WA CEO Greg Hebble said food insecurity is on the rise in our state. We are now feeding over 94,000 people every month, a third are children.

“Unfortunately we are forced to turn away 13,000 more each month because we simply don’t have enough food to go around.

“We are so thankful Hawaiian, year after year helps us feed West Aussies in real need.”

Anglicare WA Chief Executive Ian Carter said without the Hawaiian Giving Box campaign many underprivileged families would go without.

If you would like to donate, suggested items include canned vegetables, canned ham, canned fruit, dry goods, canned fish, new toys, disposable nappies, new clothes, new kids clothes, new books.