The organiser of the Food for Farmers - North Coast Drought Appeal, Anne Thompson, has delayed the packing of hampers for drought affected farmers.

Ms Thompson said packing was due to begin at the end of July but would not start until the first or even second week in August because of a lack of media coverage.

The North Coast Drought Appeal has been sending truckloads of necessities out west for 26 years.

“Last year the drought conditions were dire; now they are disastrous, with many places running out of water,” Ms Thompson said. 

“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.”

Items needed include 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, toiletries, sanitary and laundry products and pet food.

Items can be dropped at the following places:

• Lismore Showground Pavilion – next to the Office
• Lismore Library – Magellan St. Lismore,
• Goonellabah Library
• Curves - Ballina
• Wallace’s – River St., 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
• Ray Towers Carpets – Mullumbimby

Volunteers will be needed when packing commences at the Lismore Showground Pavillion during August.

Cash donations can also be made to North Coast Drought Appeal: BSB 728 728 A/C No 22321288.

Follow Food for Farmers - North Coast Drought Appeal on Facebook for updates.