With the area partially recovering due to better rainfall in 2020, requests for assistance have letup.

Although 200 Bales is 'paused' rather than 'stopped' altogether, should it be required again in the event of another prolonged period of drought or bushfires.

What began as a small group looking to fund one truck, grew into a way that people or businesses could pledge $200 to buy a bale of hay for local landholders.

And founder and coordinator Glenn Box, said the generosity of the region was shown, not only in the way that the community embraced the campaign but also by the number of people willing to lend a hand.

READ ALSO:

"It started out as a project for a couple of months and it certainly extended beyond that. And thankfully the support was there from the community and right across the country," he said.

"There were not only people wanting to contribute their funds to the campaign, but locally there were so many volunteers and people chipping in in so many ways to make it happen.

"Which is just a testament to our region, that we know how to band together. It makes you feel secure and content to live in a place like this.

"And there's a huge element of pride that goes into working with people that give up their time away from work and away from family, to contribute to something like 200 Bales - I'm proud to know those people."

Over $600,000 was raised to provide more than 3,000 large bales to hundreds of farms across the Mid Western Region. And Glenn added it was moving to make a delivery.

"To go to that many sites and have the appreciation from the recipients, is a great feeling - to get in and make a difference," he said.

The campaign became the chosen cause of numerous individuals, groups, and businesses, who supported 200 Bales through a variety of initiatives, including the Day In The Dirt music festival in late 2018.

At the first anniversary it was selected by Newcastle Permanent employees to be the beneficiary of the building society's annual CommunityAssist Program.

And at last year's Festival of Snags, organisers forewent a fireworks display - due to the then ongoing dry conditions - in favour of a donation to the cause.

Mudgee Lions Club will keep the fundraising project account (BSB - 082726, acc - 631002002) open for anybody who wishes to still support the campaign and build a reserve of funds should it be required in the future.

And those with cash tins can return them to Mudgee Travel and Cruise, from Tuesday-Friday.