Country Women's Association branches in Guyra and Kellys Plains-Dangarsleigh have 90 food hampers to distribute to drought-affected households. The food hampers were provided by Foodbank NSW and ACT, part of Australia's largest food relief organization.
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"It'll give [families in need] a boost to think someone from the city's thinking about them," Lorraine Sewell, from CWA Kellys Plains-Dangarsleigh, said.
The hampers were delivered to the Guyra Historical Museum yesterday, and are stored in a 40-tonne shipping container.
Each contains staples including cereals, pasta, tinned fish and vegetables, rice, noodles, biscuits, sugar, tea and coffee, and jam and Vegemite.
If readers know someone in need who would benefit from the hampers, they should get in touch with the Guyra Historical Museum's Dot Lockyer at GALA (6779 2132); Heather Starr (6779 1216), from CWA Guyra; Leonie Hawkins (0408 207 664), from CWA Guyra Evening Branch; or Lorraine Sewell (6778 2167).
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Ms Hawkins, and Chris Hietbrink from the Hub at Guyra have already taken hampers to distribute to families. Some hampers might also go to people affected by the Ebor and Wollomombi fires.
"People who are reeling are the ones we've got to find," Ms Sewell said.
Townspeople will be looked after with water, Dot Lockyer said. "They're not going to let us die of thirst - but the poor people out on the properties who rely on tank or well water are suffering."
Some people are washing in creeks because they don't have enough household water; others are bathing every third day, and washing clothes and bedsheets every three weeks.
One CWA Uralla member visited a farm where the family hardly had enough water for a cup of tea. "This lady had beautiful long black curly hair," Ms Sewell said. "She saved her hair, so she wouldn't have to wash it."
The state CWA has also provided a one-off $3000 grant for help with rates and household expenses, including motor registrations, groceries, school fees, and bills. The Hub at Guyra can help residents apply. By mid-August, the CWA had donated nearly $13 million in drought relief to 7000 applicants through NSW, Ms Sewell said.
"Be very vigilant of each other, with mental health," Ms Sewell urged. "Keep an eye on everybody, and be there. We've got to support everybody."
The food hampers were just the beginning, Foodbank CEO Gerry Andersen said in a letter to hamper recipients. "We're in this for the long haul."
He encouraged recipients to call the charity on 9756 3099 or email him directly at gerry@foodbank.nsw.org.au to let Foodbank know how it could provide more food, or support country people in drought.