THE woman behind a push to help drought affected farmers in the Bathurst region has been overwhelmed by the support she has received.
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In a little over one week, 400 care packages, made up of donations from the community, have been handed out to farmers who live within 60km of Bathurst doing it tough.
Megan Fawkner, from DeJorja purchased $500 in groceries to be made into care packages for drought affected farmers to kick start the idea, which has taken off at an amazing rate.
Raine and Horne Bathurst quickly came on board, donating non perishable food items to the cause plus a storage shed to store other donated goods.
Mrs Fawkner said she got the idea after hearing about a friend who went to visit her uncle, who had just spent $5,000 on hay for his animals.
“They looked in his fridge and cupboard and there was no food at all.”
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So she asked the community to drop off any non perishable items such as canned food, dog food, dog biscuits, shampoo/conditioner, store soap, toilet paper to DeJorja to be made into care packages and handed out to farmers.
Mrs Fawkner said she couldn’t believe the response.
“Oh my gosh, the front of my shop [where donations were being dropped off] looked like a supermarket,” she said.
“The response has been overwhelming.
“We have received so many donations. We have had the rural bin service come on board to distribute to a large number of their rural customers who they are aware are struggling.
“Perthville Feed Barn has been fantastic and has distributed so many hampers to customers who they know are struggling.”
Mrs Fawkner said they have had received quite a few names from people keeping an eye out for their neighbours and these people have received packages.
“I have had emails, calls and messages of appreciation.
“We’ve had grown men in tears, that can not thank us enough saying "just the thought is enough".
“We had to call on the SES Sofala to distribute to a large number of isolated farms in the Sofala, Hill End and Hargraves area. It is has been so amazing. I still have so many donations to go out and still receiving more,” she said.
“We have found that farmers themselves are so proud and find it hard to take a donation, but you can see the tears in their eyes,” she said adding she didn’t realise when she started exactly how many farmers were struggling.
“They are spending every last cent they have to save their animals. Unfortunately when the money runs out they have no choice but to let their animals die as they are so weak or have them put down. Driving around the country side, you can see deceased animals everywhere. Cows that have got themselves stuck in mud and too weak to get out and so have died standing where they are. So many little lambs who are malnutritioned they can hardly walk.
“It is so devastating.”
While she has been able to identify struggling farmers through local police in the Blayney, Trunkey Creek, Hill End and Oberon areas, and vets and farm suppliers, Mrs Fawkner said she still needs the names of farmers who might need a care package.
“The farmers receiving these packages are so overwhelmed with emotions and can not thank us enough. One farmer saying everything in these care packages will be used and can not come at a better time, because he had no toothpaste left.”
People wanting to assist by making a donation can left non perishable items at DeJorja in Keppel Street.
“Anything non perishable is great; basic staples, pasta, pasta sauce, life long milk, cereals tea or coffee, toilet paper, tooth brushes, basic stuff, which they can’t afford.”
