Mr Pottie, president of the South Wagga Apex Club, along with a number of Apex Club members and their families and friends will be assisting with this year’s The Leader-Cargill Food Appeal.

Over the years Mr Pottie has been involved with the food appeal through a number of different roles – from map designer to food collector on the day.

When asked why he has lent his service to the cause year after year, Mr Pottie replied: “because it’s a service to the club and it’s always good to help out.”

Now in its 24th year, the appeal helps under-privileged families in Wagga through the often expensive and busy Christmas period.

Mr Pottie has witnessed Wagga’s generosity towards the cause grow over time and hopes this year is no different.

“Wagga has been really good and donations have been up slightly,” he said.

“What people give has just been phenomenal.”

Anyone can get involved in the appeal by either volunteering to help with the collection of bags or by simply leaving a bag of non-perishable items, marked with the distinctive yellow The Leader-Cargill Food Appeal sticker, on their nature strip.

From his experience, Mr Pottie said it is important all donations are left in an obvious location. “The bags need to be in a location that is visible in the street ... we can’t have them hiding behind bushes or on the front porch,” he said.

This year Mr Pottie said he would like to see as many volunteers as possible helping the cause.

“We are always looking for more people to help out,” he said.

People can find their yellow food appeal stickers in the November 26 edition of The Leader.

Bags of non-perishable items will be collected from 9am on Sunday, December 7.

Anyone wanting to help on the day simply needs to show up at the meeting point at the Riverina Play House car park, adjacent to the Wagga Information Centre in Tarcutta Street.