Truckloads of essential supplies will be transported from Ballarat during the coming days and weeks to support fire-affected communities in East Gippsland.
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Ballarat residents dropped off hundreds of bags filled with food, water and toiletries to the PRDnationwide Ballarat office on Thursday after a call-out for donations on social media.
WAYS YOU CAN HELP: Victoria, NSW fires: Here is how you can help
PRDnationwide Ballarat sales consultant Kiara Porra and her colleagues will drive the donations to Gippsland Farmer Relief in Traralgon by car on Friday and in a truck on Saturday.
Volunteers will package the items into hampers to be distributed at the Bairnsdale Relief Centre and to families that have lost homes or are unable to return home and need assistance.
"I called Gippsland Farmer Relief to tell them we had a truck coming with supplies and they couldn't believe it," Ms Porra said.
"People are going without water and without their homes and so many haven't got anything to go back to. If we can help in some way that would be the greatest thing."
Gippsland Farmer Relief has requested donations of tinned goods including peas, corn and carrots, soup, water, long life milk, breakfast cereals, pasta, rice, toilet paper, tissues, pasta sauces, dog and cat food, tuna, tomato sauce, flour, sugar, tea, coffee, snack foods and toiletries.
Ms Porra said she was 'so proud' of Ballarat, after working all day on Thursday to keep up with the number of people dropping off donations.
"This is what Australia is about, to be able to give back and help each other. It is something so small that can help people so much," she said.
Ballarat resident Tegan Stevenson donated a car load of goods when The Courier visited the PRD office on Thursday.
She has family who live in Lakes Entrance and said it was good to help in any way possible.
"We have been receiving photos and seeing the struggle and hardship they are going through," Ms Stevenson said.
"It is heartbreaking seeing images and hearing the stories.... It is really good to give back as much as we can."
Dunnstown and Ballan farmers are also working hard to organise the transport of truckloads of hay to East Gippsland on Saturday.
They need support from the community and businesses to provide more trucks to load their hay and are asking for donations to fund fuel for the trucks.
They also welcome others to join the convoy if they have a truck and hay to load it with.
Donations of food, water and toiletries can be dropped off at PRDnationwide Ballarat at 51 Lydiard Street South Ballarat Central from 9am - 5.30pm on weekdays and 9am - 12pm on Saturday.
Alternatively contact Kiara Porra on 0447 834 892 to organise after hours drop offs and for more information about the hay drive.
More trips to Trarlgon will be organised to transport donations as required next week.
Visit Victoria, NSW fires donate: Here is how you can help for other ways to support the fire relief effort.
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
