Parkes residents send help for Cobar farmers in drought

NSW Farmers Regional Services Manager Caron Chester with farmer Michael Cain and the donated goods from Parkes. Photo contributed

NSW Farmers made a delivery to Cobar last week of goods that will go some way to helping out local struggling famers affected by the ongoing drought.

NSW Farmers, Regional Services Manager – West, Caron Chester delivered approximately 100 boxes of toiletries and food, bottled water and bags of oranges that had been collected and donated by a group from Parkes.

“It started with one lady, Karen White, wanting to do something for farmers in drought, as she was feeling quite distraught by what she was hearing,” Caron said.

“She started a Facebook page, Drought Care Package Muster, and called out for donations.

“It started off with everyone filling a shoebox with whatever they thought were necessary items and it grew so quickly that within days Karen had a room filling with everything from toiletries to food, things for the kids and even some good books

“The response has been overwhelming, with everyday people wanting to donate something, even if they can’t afford to give very much.”

Karen contacted NSW Farmers to ask where might be a good place to send the hampers and Caron suggested Cobar might be a good place to start as they had been in drought for so long.

Caron volunteered to deliver them. (She also received a donation of dog food but it wouldn’t fit in her car this trip but said she plans to return with it soon.)

“This is such a wonderful initiative, which is good for all concerned; the Parkes ladies feel they are helping in some way, and the farmers know that they are not alone and forgotten,” Caron said.

“It can get pretty lonely out there on the farm when you are so isolated.  It is good to know that someone cares and is thinking about you in such difficult times.”