The group started its Facebook page about four years ago with the sole aim of assisting people who need help. It boasts over 6200 members.

In the most recent act, the group helped a family of five who had lost all their possessions in a house fire on Bridge Street, Port Macquarie.

Pay It Forward's Shirley McGowan says the group has been so successful they are keen to take the project to the next level.

She says having a shop front or storage area would help the group, and in turn help the community.

"We have always wanted either a shop front or a storage area," Mrs McGowan said.

"There are many people out there who want to help but because we lack any storage facility it can be difficult to accept items all the time.

"Ideally we would probably love a shopfront. However, we don't derive any financial benefit from what we do so we would probably have to settle for a storage area.

"Sometimes people want to donate items but we just can't hold it until it is required. We really need a kind-hearted property owner to step up and help us out."

The group would welcome a site in Port Macquarie, Wauchope or Laurieton.

Mrs McGowan says the group is continually being approached with donations.

She says the family involved in the Bridge Street fire was an excellent case in point about how the group works.

"We put up the post about the family needing food and clothing and the response was absolutely brilliant," she said.

Mrs McGowan said the group is continually fielding private messages requesting help and these are often posted on the site anonymously.

"I couldn't tell you the number of people we have helped in our four years," she added.

The group said there was an increase in requests for help immediately prior to Christmas with some people finding it difficult to access basic items they urgently need.

She said the group serves a purpose because people ask for help.

"We can see that they need help. It is not embarrassing to ask - no-one should feel too embarrassed to get in contact with us.

The overwhelming response to the site and its work is both surprising and humbling, she said.

"I am gobsmacked sometimes by the enormous generosity of this community," Mrs McGowan said.

"It can be very overwhelming. There are some days where I am running around picking up things all day and passing it on to people in need."

Mrs McGowan praised the work of the site's founder Raelene Burtenshaw who has since moved out of the region.

She said she will always welcome offers of support, particularly at the organisational level.

"I get a real sense of value and a sense of achievement from doing this.

"It just makes me feel very happy to help people out."

You can find Port Macquarie Pat It Forward on Facebook.

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