The final donation date is nearing for the Doing It For Our Farmers campaign in the Hastings.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Port Macquarie, Wauchope and surrounds campaign is scheduled for its final collection on December 12 and delivery on Saturday, December 14.
The partnership with Farmer's Pantry Tamworth has seen more than nine pallets of non-perishable groceries, pet food and items distributed to landowners in need.
The last convoy of trailers including another three pallets will leave from the new Sovereign Hills Shopping Centre at 8am on December 14.
Port Macquarie campaign coordinators Robyn Rawson and Luis Baker originally championed the cause after seeing the devastation of drought during an inland holiday.
"During the past year I had been donating groceries via a donation point at my local supermarket set up by a staff member, Leanne Crane. Leanne regularly filled a trailer and travelled across to Tamworth delivering the donations," said Ms Rawson.
"After taking a trip to Inverell, Glen Innes and Tenterfield last August, my husband Luis and I realised the severity of the drought and how dire the situation is for our farmers.
"We decided to start our campaign to see if we could get a trailer load of groceries for our farmers.
"The community's response to our campaign was something we could never have imagined."
During the campaign the group had contact on the land with a dairy farmer in Wingham nicknamed Farmer Joe, who became the motivation for the campaign.
"During the past three months our DIFOF Campaign has been able to support farmers in Wingham, Hannam Vale, Taree, Old Bar, Kempsey, Birdwood, Rollands Plains, Willawarrin and Long Flat," said Ms Rawson.
"When the fires collided with our campaign on 'Orange Friday', we were also able to help a couple of the local RFS, evacuated animals and fire affected people.
"I would like to give credit and recognition to the many other individuals, groups and businesses in our community who helped people and the RFS services during the catastrophic fires.
"I think the best thing coming out of this campaign is the heightened community awareness of just how tough this drought is on our farmers."
During the campaign a Farmer Joe's Pantry was opened at Wauchope with Sunrise Rotary and support from the Tamworth DIFOF pantry.
"We live in a fabulous community. Luis and I would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our wonderful volunteers, to the many individuals who donated, to all the businesses who trusted us to pull this off," said Ms Rawson.
"Also a huge thank you to Sue Ellen Wilken for her unwavering guidance throughout our campaign and the Sunrise Rotary for taking on my idea to open a Farmer's Pantry locally.
"As Christmas nears and 2020 brings a new beginning please don't forget our farmers in this drought. Keep donating to the various groups who are out there supporting our farmers."
Doing It For Our Farmers founder Sue Ellen Wilkin in Tamworth said the DIFOF had made a difference through wonderful donations and selfless acts by volunteers.
"The Port Macquarie, Wauchope and surrounds DIFOF campaign journey over the past couple of months has seen some twists and turns, none so dramatic as the terrible fires which have tested us all," she said.
"Our resilience has been tested to breaking point and then some.
"Along this journey we have had a food pantry created in Wauchope thanks to Robyn's persistence and dedication. We wish the Wauchope Pantry well as we focus on the final days of our campaign.
"This drought has a life all its own, whipping up dust storms, fire storms and breaking the hearts of so many. I encourage all our members to keep our farmers in mind as we go about our daily life enjoying the bounty our farmers provide.
"Team DIFOF will continue to help your farmers as we have done in the past and will do well into the future. Until this rotten drought breaks, please keep supporting Robyn and our team till we get this job done.
"Once again to all of you, team DIFOF says thank you. When the rains come and the green returns, we will look back at these days with pride knowing we did something great."
What else is making news, sport.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.