Drought recovery: Help them pick up their feet today so they don't trip tomorrow

"Help them pick up their feet today so they don't trip tomorrow."

That was the philosophy behind a $25,000 delivery of donations to the Cabonne local government area in NSW by GIVIT and the Rotary Club of Orange Daybreak. The money is part of $40,000 raised at the 2019 “Feast for farmers” function held at Heifer Station, NSW, and was donated to drought affected communities of Cabonne by North Orange Rotary through GIVIT.

GIVIT NSW Manager, Scott Barrett, said the money was used to help individuals and businesses doing it tough because of on-going drought conditions. “Recognising that our local shops – the lifeblood of our regional communities – are also doing it tough, GIVIT has been tasked with assisting the spending of donated funds in local towns across Carbonne. This sees the double benefit of not only helping farmers affected by drought, but also the businesses and shop workers who are also feeling the pinch,” Mr Barrett said.

The $25,000 donation was used to purchase essentials vouchers from businesses in drought-affected communities throughout Cudal, Manildra, Eugowra, Cumnock, Molong, Euchareena and Mullion Creek. A mighty spending job, Scott was joined by the North Orange Rotary who were keen to see the benefit of the generous donation. They spent the day buying vouchers and delivering them to local community 
organisations for distribution.

Here’s a quick video of the team in Molong.

Rotary Club president Ray Fleming said members were keen to help out and also witness the benefit of the donations firsthand. "We need our communities - our farmers, farmer workers, our local businesses and community groups - to remain strong," he said. "It will rain, and things will get better, but if we can make a small difference to help then get through this period then it's well worth the effort."

You can help people impacted by the devastating drought by donating to our Drought Relief Appeal.