Dubbo will likely have a food bank in February or Mach next year, following Friday night's successful meeting on the initiative.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Community groups like St Vincent de Paul have been working to establish a single food bank for the city, rather than having numerous organisations help people in need.
By combining the current offerings into one food bank, St Vincent de Paul's Ian Wray said it would stop "scarce resources" from being depleted even further.
On Friday night those interested in the initiative met to discuss the idea, chaired by Dubbo Regional mayor Ben Shields.
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
Mr Wray said it was a very positive meeting. He said it was attended by groups such as the Uniting Church, Salvation Army and the Riverside Church.
There were also interested individuals who went along, as well as a representative from Fletchers International Exports.
"They look like they're going to give us some support. Roger [Fletcher] is always heavily involved in the community and he does it quietly behind-the-scenes," Mr Wray said.
"He's always helping the food bank in Sydney, supplying them with meat to be used in sausages for the poor people."
Mr Ray also praised Cr Shields for his involvement.
The next step is for Foodbank Australia to hold a presentation in Dubbo, which will be followed by a second meeting - expected to be at the start of December - when a committee will be formed.
Like in Orange, once the food bank is established and seen to be successful, Mr Wray said he expected more organisations to join.
St Vincent de Paul is already helping 10 to 12 people per day, Mr Wray said, and he estimated across Dubbo there were 200 to 300 people per week seeking food.
"People are finding it very hard to make ends meet," the volunteer said.
Farmers were having a "terrible time" and finding it especially hard, he said, thanks to the ongoing drought.
Details of the next food bank meeting will be made public when they have been finalised.