As the terrible drought continues out west, so the North Coast Drought Appeal which is in its 26th year, will once again be sending some cheer to the farming families doing it so tough. Last year the drought conditions were dire; now they are disastrous, with many places running out of water. People are asked to donate non-perishable food items that are not past the use-by date or in rusty cans.

We only have to look in our own cupboards for grocery items we can do without says Mrs Thompson who has been organising this appeal since 1994.

Items such as tea, coffee, sweet biscuits, crackers, fruit cakes, cereal, tinned fruit/vegetables/soup/tuna/salmon; jams, vegemite, peanut butter, honey, packet mixes, sauces, pasta, rice, long-life milk, as well as treats like dried fruit, nuts and lollies. Normally Anne would say “no chocolate as it melts” but at this time of the year maybe it would be ok. Also needed are toiletries, sanitary and laundry products, as well as pet food.

Items can be dropped at the following places:

Lismore Showground Pavilion next to the Office; Lismore Library Magellan St. Lismore; Wallace River St, Ballina; Paradise FM – Ballina; Eric Box Mitsubishi Casino; Clunes Auto Centre Clunes; Century 21 Real Estate Main St, Alstonville; Anglican Church Op-shop Byron Bay; Bangalow CWA Gift Shop Bangalow (tbc); Ray Towers Carpets Mullumbimby.

Volunteers will be needed when packing commences at the Lismore Showground Pavilion at the end of July and everything should be in by 26th September.

Please get together with friends, families, neighbours, clubs, schools, churches etc. and let us once again show our farmers that they are not forgotten and maybe lift their spirits for just a little while. Cash donations can also be made to North Coast Drought Appeal, BSB 728 – 728 A/C No. 22321288.

Enquiries: Anne Thompson 0412910523 – 66288910