The sudden arrival of cold weather has left a number of the local stores very short of blankets, with some completely out of stock. 

Stephen Barrott from the Bathurst Salvation Army Shop said the early start to winter has left the store needing “heaps of blankets”.

“We had heaps of blankets and then everyone came in and bought them all,” he said.

The store is also in need of clothing donations for winter, including warm gloves, hats and jumpers. 

It has reached a point where the Salvation Army volunteers are considering going outside of Bathurst to find what they need.

“[We need] just about anything to keep people warm. We’re even thinking of getting down to Sydney to get some things,” Mr Barrott said.  

There are a number of ways that people can donate good quality items.

“They can bring it down to the store or we can come pick it up. We’ve got a truck that can come pick things up,” Mr Barrott said. 

He has thanked people who have been donating to the store already.

To get in contact with the Salvation Army store, call 6331 3970.

The Bathurst Community Op Shop also needs blankets. 

Deputy mayor Bobby Bourke, who is involved in the running of the op shop, said there were no blankets left to sell or give away to people in desperate need. 

“We’ve had a rush on blankets and we’ve just run out,” he said. 

The op shop is in a similar situation to the Salvation Army, seeing its winter rush a lot earlier than normal with the sudden cold weather. 

While he would like to see blankets come to the op shop, Cr Bourke said there are a number of places in need of them and people should donate wherever they can to ensure struggling residents can stay warm.

“I’d encourage them to support everyone,” he said. “There needs to be some extras found.”