GIVIT NSW Drought Relief Manager Scott Barrett was on the road last week visiting drought stricken communities across the state including Parkes.
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While in town Mr Barrett met with Parkes Shire Parkes Shire's Drought Response Officer Roger Kitson and Anglicare Manager Natalie Quince to identify the immediate needs of vulnerable farmers and families affected by ongoing severe drought conditions.
Mr Barrett said GIVIT works on an online platform that matches people who need things with people that have those things or donate money so those things can be purchased.
"My call to arms is any community group or charity organisation that is working with any drought affected people," he said.
"They can go to our website, register for free and then request the items that are needed by the people they are working with.
"We work with local charities, because they are the ones with boots on the ground and know the genuine needs and know who those people are."
Mr Barrett said when local charities such as Georgie's Pantry make a request for items that they know are needed in the community he does his best to source those items in that community.
"We will buy those things in the community, often through vouchers, because we also realise it's just as important to keep these local businesses ticking over," he said.
"For instance, we bought some food vouchers in today. There is no point in me bringing food into Parkes from out of town because if I bring a box of Weetbix into Parkes, or Trundle, or Tullamore, that's a box of Weetbix that is not bought in that town."
Visit www.givit.org.au