Kenway and Clark shop up a storm to assist local farmers doing it tough

Local staff sifted through their pantries, collecting non-perishable items to be donated as well as contributed $200 out of their social club fund to buy more groceries.

2NZ breakfast host James ‘Monte’ Irvine dropped by Kenway and Clark on Friday to collect the numerous bags of food, cleaning products, sanitary items and dog food.

Operations manager Neil Westgarth said the idea came about whilst standing in the car park having a “yap” about how dry things were.

“Dale [Waters] mentioned the radio station’s food drive and asked ‘why don’t we do something?’,” he said.

All staff agreed that a $200 donation out of the social fund was the best way to support those who support Kenway and Clark the most- local farmers.

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Monte said the support from general listeners and local businesses so far had been incredibly heart-warming.

“We are here to help and get behind out local farmers who are doing it quite tough at the moment. This has really made me realise how much of a difference we can make to someone’s life,” he said.

Kenway and Clark staff frequently visit local farmers and are proudly linked to Case IH- a major sponsor of Beyond Blue.

Sales manager Nick De Stefani was born and raised on the land and has experienced the heartache drought brings.

“We go and have a chat with local farmers to try and take their minds off everything for at least 10-15 minutes; it makes a big difference especially with rural suicides they way they are.

When Nick hits the road, he loads up with a few products from the shop and cartons of fresh milk in the engel.

“When you’re flat out trying to feed cattle and irrigate, you don’t have time to go into town for things you can go without.”

Running until August 31, locals are encouraged to donate products to the station at 167 Byron Street.