Gympie generously donates food staples for flood-affected locals

Naomi Wilson has visited more than 200 flood-damaged Gympie homes. Now, she’s leading the latest community project helping locals feed their families amid ongoing tough times.

From clean-ups to chats over a cuppa, members of the Gympie community have been lending a helping hand to those struggling since the February floods.

Now, local legend Naomi Wilson has set up a donation drive for those who are still having to cut down on food shopping to make ends meet.

Ms Wilson, 53, has already visited about 210 flood-damaged homes and, since May 25, she’s been calling for food staples and vouchers to be donated with plans for the goods to be divided and sent out as hampers to those in need.

Many residents whose homes have been stripped by floodwaters are still living in motels or with family members and neighbours.

Some families are as far as 12 months away from returning.

With repair bills adding to rent and mortgage payments these locals have been reducing their food and fuel spend to hold onto their homes.

Ceilings dripping water have been a common theme in the many homes Ms Wilson has visited.

She initially distributed cleaning supplies such as sponges and buckets generously donated by the community after her Facebook call outs.

A team of volunteers had also thrown on old clothes and slipped into gumboots to help clear the mud and grime from the destroyed homes.

“Gympie is extraordinary,” Ms Wilson said.

“It’s ingrained in Gympie to share.”

Ms Wilson said on Friday 14 brand new generators were donated for handing out to displaced locals.

She’s also passed on approximately 200 gas cookers.

Ms Wilson’s latest call out for hamper fillers includes food staples such as rice, pasta and soups, and vouchers for local butchers and supermarkets.

She puts together individual hampers for the families she’s become acquainted with.

She knows who likes tea and who likes coffee, and who just needs a chat.

Already, donations are flooding in.

“There are no words to explain how generous our community is,” Ms Wilson said.

Donations can be dropped to Gympie Fish ‘n’ Chips at 4 Apollonian Vale, Gympie.