Grace Church Port Macquarie has united several churches across Port Macquarie, Bonny Hills and Wauchope to form Grace Community Response last week (March 21).

Volunteers travelled to North Haven to help remove flood damaged material from houses, comfort home owners, assist with insurance claims and host sausage sizzles for those in need.

Grace Church Port Macquarie volunteer Bindi Packer said the campaign started after seeing so many people wanting help, but not knowing how to assist in Port Macquarie.

"We had a meeting at church, got the leadership together and put a team together. We just went door knocking and sent a team to Settlement Point, North Haven Telegraph Point and Dunbogan to see who needed help," she said.

"We made a Grace Community Response page on social media and invited other churches to be involved. It kind of just snowballed from there as we began sending teams everyday.

"We helped residents by ripping out all the carpet, pulling out furniture and photographing things in the house to help with insurance. We helped take all the photos and salvage dry paperwork.

"I don't think there has been anything as extreme as this flood in the Hastings during my life. I see this as the best opportunity to love people because if we are the church and we say God is love, well where are we when it matters."

Mrs Packer said church groups would also be assisting with long term recovery, offering support for mental health and helping people with whatever they need.

"Grace Church and all the other churches stepping in is such an honour to love," she said.

"We are so proud of the way the broader community have responded. Go team Hastings."

North Haven resident Cath was one of the first people helped by the volunteers. She was offered help from two church members while shopping for replacement clothing in Port Macquarie.

"My mother and I had just been rescued from North Haven by boat. I was in Port Macquarie when a lady approached me asking 'are you okay?' and I was not okay," she said.

"What they did for me, watching them work and help so many people in North Haven, it was amazing. They have gone out of their way to help me and my family without any thought of reward.

"We're thankful for everything that's getting done around town. The way the community has come together is amazing and I could not have coped without them."

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