The service provides food to those experiencing hardship or disadvantage to ensure no-one goes without a meal.

The health pandemic led to Food Connect operating as a drive-through service for a time.

OzHarvest received funding which has allowed food to be purchased to supplement the rescued food, while staff and family members assisted with the OzHarvest food pick ups and deliveries.

Demand for Food Connect has remained steady with the service attracting regulars and newcomers.

Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre coordinator Julie Trowbridge said they had seen a lot more new faces and a different demographic.

International students ineligible for government assistance have been among those seeking a helping hand.

The neighbourhood centre acted as a community services information hub as the coronavirus restrictions took hold.

"We created an essential services listing so people knew what the community services were doing," Mrs Trowbridge said.

The Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre has continued operating throughout the pandemic, albeit with some changes.

"For everybody, it has made us think of how to do things differently and think outside the box," she said.

Improvements to the Food Connect service, for example, mean the food is distributed more evenly and fairly.

The neighbourhood centre has the authority to assess electricity vouchers over the phone, in addition to face-to-face.

The Tenants' Advice Service is operating as a phone service at this time.

Meanwhile, Port Macquarie's soup kitchens have continued during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sister Marjorie McLachlan's soup kitchen innovated to offer takeaway meals due to coronavirus restrictions and gradually things are returning to normal.

The soup kitchen has started putting out a few tables.

"We will continue to do that and gradually get more and more people sitting at tables," Sister Marjorie said.

Port Anglican Soup Kitchen, which also embraced a takeaway model, continues to provide food to the needy.

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