In a bid to extend their helping hands, We Care Community Shop received a delivery of food hampers on Wednesday from Australia's largest food relief organisation, Foodbank.
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We Care has been running a 'Feed for Farmers' operation since March last year, providing all the necessities to Mid-Western region farmers who have reached the point of requiring assistance as a result of the drought.
While the Mudgee community has been generous throughout the year and a half long stint, We Care Community Shop manager Donna Collins says it's time to ask for donations from outside of Mudgee.
"The drought has been so prolonged that sadly a lot of people in the Mid-Western region are all donated out, they've supported the cause for so long. Now we're looking outside of rural towns for support from city people," she said.
"We received 60 hampers in total from Foodbank and they will be sent out to all of primary producers that need a bit of a hand at the moment."
One of the many reasons Donna and her team of volunteers continue to lend a shoulder in a time of crisis is because it's possible Australian produce will cease to exist if support is withdrawn.
"We're working at the moment with a lady at Hargraves who has developed a saying of 'saving them for later'," Donna said.
What we've come to realise is that there will be no farmers, there will be no Australian produce.
- We Care Community Shop manager, Donna Collins
"If we don't help them now, there will be no farmers left in a few years. It's really important that everyone in this region supports our locals, it's locals helping locals."
This month Foodbank NSW and ACT will have hit a 150 million milestone for meals distributed to farming communities across the state.
Foodbank NSW and ACT CEO Gerry Anderson says while the milestone is only a result of devastation, the organisation will continue to provide help for as long as it takes.
"This is a milestone we never wanted to hit. The farmers needs us now more than ever. No one anticipated the drought would last this long," Anderson said.
"We want them all to know that we are here for the long haul."
Each of Foodbank hampers contain breakfast cereal, pasta, pasta sauces, soups, vegemite, canned fruit and vegetables.
"We just really want to thank Foodbank so much for all of their help and support, it is really going to make a difference in our community," Donna said.
Our farmers pantry is open from Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm for any primary producers that need to fill up their pantry, they can just walk in and help themselves.
"Anyone who would like to donate can bring in date food to the Community Shop anytime between 10am and 3pm Monday to Friday."
Jay-Anna Sleeman
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
