The NSW Police Force is joining forces with Emergency Service agencies and Minister for Police Troy Grant as part of an annual food-drive aimed at supporting those in need, NSW Police say.
This year the traditional ‘Stuff Your Chopper’ competition has been put aside with the NSW Police Force, Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and State Emergency Service coming together to jointly collect groceries and non-perishable food to help ‘Feed a Farmer’.
As paddocks turn to dust, drought-stricken farmers and their families across the state will receive groceries and other much needed items donated to emergency service agencies across the state over the next two months, which will then be donated to Foodbank NSW & ACT and delivered to those in need.
‘Feed a Farmer’ will be launched by Regional Field Operations, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys, Minister for Police Troy Grant and representatives from Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service at the NSW Police Aviation Support Branch today (Friday 12 October 2018).
Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said this initiative is something all emergency services – with assistance of the community – can do to help farmers hit hard by drought.
"We all know farmers are tough, resilient and pride themselves on standing on their own two feet, but sometimes even the toughest need help," Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
"According to the Combined Drought Indicator 98.3 per cent of the state is experiencing drought, and as a community based organisation, we need to do what we can to help provide some relief.
Farmers are a vital part of our lives, and ‘Feed a Farmer’ is an opportunity for emergency services to come together with the community to help ease the hardship caused by drought," Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
Minister Grant said this was a chance for emergency services to give back to regional and rural communities.
"A lot of farmers are doing it really tough right now and that means many are choosing to feed their stock first before putting food on their own table," Minister Grant said.
"It makes me very proud to see our emergency services joining forces today to provide some small relief to those in need right now. This is the Australian way, we take care of our mates.
"I encourage everyone to get behind ‘Feed a Farmer’ and please make a food-donation – remember any donation can make a really big difference for farmers across the state," Minister Grant said.
Foodbank is a non-profit organisation established in 1992, and acts as a pantry to charities and community groups that provide food to those in need.
Across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Foodbank helps more than 167,000 people each month and provides over 1.7 million meals for families in need.
Foodbank NSW and ACT CEO Gerry Andersen, said it was great to see all the emergency services coming together to support those who need it most.
"No matter how big or how small, any donation will make a difference to farmers and their families," Mr Andersen said.
"Feed a Farmer is about lending a helping hand and the donations collected will be distributed to where they are most needed," Mr Andersen said.
Collections for Feed a Farmer will run until Tuesday 4 December 2018 and emergency services are asking the community to support this initiative by dropping any food or necessities to one of the following locations during business hours Monday – Friday.
Regional Areas:
· Queanbeyan/Canberra – 10 Ellerton Drive, Queanbeyan
· Albury – 25 Airport Drive, Albury
· Batemans Bay – 7 Kylie Crescent, Batemans Bay
· Casino - 40 Neville Bienke Memorial Dr, Casino
· Central Coast – 105 Arizona Rd, Charmhaven
· Coffs Harbour – 1 Aviation Drive, Coffs Harbour
· Dubbo – Lot 10 Cooreena Rd, Dubbo
· Hunter Valley – 110 Mt Vincent Road, East Maitland
· Shoalhaven – 92 Albatross Rd, Nowra
· Orange – 1385 Forest Road, Orange
· Port Macquarie – 108 Cameron Street, Wauchope
· Southern Highlands – 65 Bridge St, Picton
· Tamworth – 19-23 Lockheed St, Tamworth
· Wagga Wagga – 208 Fernleigh Rd, Wagga Wagga
· Wollongong – 37 Airport Road, Albion Park Rail
· Young – Shop 3, Lovell Place, Young
Metro areas :
· Sutherland – 126 Wilson Parade, Heathcote
· Northern Beaches – Gate 4 Thompson Drive, Terrey Hills
· Hornsby – 1049 Pacific Highway, Cowan
· Nepean (Cumberland) – 8-12 Jeanette Street, Regentville
· Hawkesbury – Macquarie Road, Wilberforce
· Blue Mountains – Cnr Bathurst and Valley Road, Katoomba
· The Hills – 1A Angus Road, Kenthurst
· Campbelltown – Cnr Alderney Street and Townson Avenue, Minto
