Since the very first stories of farmers experiencing tough times during this drought started to surface, Murrurundi’s Justine Cooper and her followers have been organising hundreds of food deliveries to those doing it tough.

Inundated with support and donated goods, the group, who are registered with charity Doing it for Our Farmers, outgrew the local Anglican Hall and relocated to a Pop-Up Pantry located at 41 Mayne Street, Murrurundi.

Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the pantry resembles a supermarket with shelves stocked full of everyday items for farmers to come and shop free of charge.

However as the struggle during dry times continues, donations have started to dwindle and Justine says support is still very much needed.

“We have plenty of items such as toiletries, canned food, pasta and rice,” she said.

“But it’s the items like jam, honey or sweet treats that people are doing without at the moment that get picked up straight away.”

The group have now taken their gigantic efforts a step further, organising a party for farmers at the Wilson Memorial Oval in Murrurundi this Sunday.

If anything, they hope to spread some Christmas cheer and enable families to forget their woes for the day.

Justine says the party, called Cockies Christmas Cricket Catch Up, is a chance to be with like-minded people that are going through the same thing as them – to get together and relax.

“It’s a Lions Club project in conjunction with Doing it for Our Farmers,” she said.

“They’re providing lunch, everything has been donated including a jumping castle, the local NSW Fire and Rescue are donating the truck to bring Santa who is coming with Christmas presents.

“The SES is bringing gazebos and all the pubs and the bowling club in town are donating drinks.”

Upper Hunter Shire Council have also come on board offering use of their Youth Centre for free and Scone Sports Store have donated trophies for the winners of the cricket match.

“There’s about seven teams at the moment and it’s just a muck-around, a bit of fun and humour,” Justine explained.

“Everything is just out of the kindness of people’s hearts, that’s how this day has come around and I’m able to do it.”

The event kicks off at 10am on Sunday at the Wilson Memorial Oval.

Justine says she has been overwhelmed by the support and thanked all of the volunteers and individuals that have come on board with the cause so far.

“I still get all funny about it because it’s a big thing and it takes a lot of time and effort to do this and to know that your community is behind you and want to make a difference for these people is very heart warming and overwhelming,” she said.

If you are interesting in attending please RSVP for catering purposes at 0410 658 890 or justinec@y7mail.com