Questions over food offerings appearing at community food pantry

Free packaged food which has surfaced at a community food donation stall has prompted mixed reactions from locals.

‘Bishop’s Box', a community food pantry in the Bishopdale area of Christchurch, has been filled with food outside Cotswold School.

A person who appears to be behind the free food has not responded to approaches from the Herald for comment.

Cotswold Mātāhae School told the Herald they didn’t know anything about it.

The boxes, which are not refrigerated, have provoked mixed reactions, with some people voicing food safety concerns on a community Facebook page.

“Please, if you need one by all means take but I would hate for anyone to get sick,” one poster wrote online.

“Wow, very generous and kind helping out people,” another said.