Hastings Co-operative and the Hastings Education Fund launched a campaign on Monday at Wauchope to encourage people to "donate their small change for a big change" when shopping at Hastings Co-op stores.

Collection tins are located at each co-op business.

Hastings Co-operative chief executive officer Allan Gordon said the co-op was committed to the notion of locals supporting locals and this campaign was a clear signalling of that commitment.

The Hastings Education Fund is a community-based fund which provides financial assistance and encouragement to students living in the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area, aged 17 to 21 as they pursue further education, training or their chosen vocation.

Hastings Education Fund chairman Peter Cuskelly said to date, the bulk of the funding had come from Port Macquarie businesses and organisations even though the fund's area of influence was across the local government area.

The Hastings Co-op is doing its bit to spread the geographical financial contribution.

To date, the Hastings Education Fund has supported 71 students including 13 from Wauchope.

Mr Cuskelly said a significant contribution from the Wauchope community would enable the fund to more effectively support students from that area.

The fund is run by a committee of volunteers who rely on donations from individuals, businesses and organisations.

More than $100,000 has been raised from the community since 2011.