DUBBO businesses and residents are standing shoulder to shoulder with the Coonabarabran community, helping rebuild lives after the bushfires.
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Dubbo resident Virginia Carter told the Daily Liberal she went shopping at Harris Scarfe for bed sheets and towels.
As she was about to pay for the items the assistant manager Erica Higgins heard she was donating the items to bushfire victims.
"Don't worry about paying for it, we will donate them," the assistant manager said.
"Do you need anything else?"
Ms Carter asked for pillows and without a second thought the assistant manager pulled pillows and other items straight off the shelf and gave it to her.
"I was quite happy to pay for them but she wouldn't take a bar of it," she said.
After the "very generous" donation of one local business she dropped the goods to the Coonabarabran Bushfire Appeal at Workwear for Women.
Owner Erin Hall said she was overwhelmed with the outpouring of community support and generosity.
"People have been dropping their loose change, others put in notes and bring anything they have," she said.
On the first day of the appeal a car load full of doonas, pillows, clothes and toiletries went to help bushfire victims.
Ms Carter reminded Dubbo residents of the importance of donating essential goods to be used immediately.
"While the government takes time to help, people need to hit the ground running and help those 40 families in need urgently," she said.
"It takes time to rebuild and we want to do our part to make their life easier."
Mrs Hall said while they had all of the clothes and furniture they needed, they welcomed donations of non-perishable food and toiletries.
She expected to fill a second carload full of the green bags before the end of the day.
Mrs Hall said she thought of her parents who lived on a farm as she saw the bushfires rip through the town.
"I imagined what it would be life if they lost all," she said.
"It's unimaginable to stand and think you own nothing."
Both Mrs Hall and Ms Carter encouraged Dubbo businesses to get on board and donate products to the appeal.
"It's far better to do a kindness close to home, than burn incense in a foreign temple," Ms Carter said.
"That's why us bushies stick together."
Local residents can donate goods for the Coonabarabran Bushfire Appeal at Workwear for Women located at 117 Talbragar Street, Dubbo.
