Block out the lockdown blues with these incredible stories from our community
From bakery cowboys to volunteers cooking 300 meals a day for people in need – there are some truly amazing things happening in our community (and yes, a lot of them are food related).
Lismore
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Is the lockdown and the Covid-19 pandemic getting you down?
It’s not easy being stuck at home all the time, especially if you’re trying to juggle working from home, looking after the kids, homeschooling and household chores (although let’s face it, those chores are definitely on the backburner).
The daily press conferences with our politicians seem to deliver an endless stream of bad news – more Covid cases, longer lockdowns, tougher restrictions.
But there are still some incredible things happening in the world, and we’ve got the stories to prove it.
So turn off Netflix, or at least mute it, and check out these feel-good stories that will remind you of the beauty and kindness in our communities.
First up, did someone say “free ice cream”?
The folks at Box Factory Burgers in Woolgoolga are offering anyone who makes an order by phone will receive a free soft-serve from their brand new machine.
They said they just wanted to give people “a little something” during these tough times. So sweet!
Speaking of sweet, how adorable is four-year-old Aria Gageler?
The Emerald Beach local has been handpainting rocks and leaving her little masterpieces around for others to find.
Sometimes it’s the small things that make a big difference.
Another one of our favourite Northern NSW lockdown stories was from the team at Cubby Bakehouse at Chinderah who, out of a sheer desire to make other people smile, donned cowboy outfits and set up a drive-thru for their delicious treats. Yee-haw!
On the subject of yummy food, one of Lismore’s favourite restaurants is doing its bit to help beat the lockdown blues by delivering cocktails to your door, along with a three course meal.
The Loft has always been one of our go-to restaurants, and we love it even more now.
However a lot of people can’t afford to have a gourmet meal home-delivered, and the Winsome Soup Kitchen in Lismore is on hand to help vulnerable people in our community.
They offer complimentary, no-questions-asked meals from their building at 11 Bridge St, serving 75 meals a day.
In Byron Bay, Covid restrictions have meant changes to the way services are offered through the Byron Community Centre.
But they’ve made some modifications and are still providing food, showers, counselling and support, thanks to volunteers and dedicated staff.
The Mend and Make Do Crew in South Grafton are busier than ever providing support for those doing it tough.
Their doors might be shut, but they’re using the opportunity to work through donations and put together assistance kits, which range from toiletry packs for adults, families and kids, to fully kitting out homes for young families who have been or are at risk of being homeless.
Meanwhile, Selfish Fish n Chips isn’t even a charity, but the owner was still giving away free food to drivers stuck in border traffic earlier this month.
He just wanted to make people’s day better, and the kind gesture went viral on social media.
We’ll continue the food theme with the story of the Ballina Hot Meal Centre, which is making more than 300 meals a day to needy people in the community.
They have frozen and fresh meals on offer and it’s already proven to be an invaluable service in town.
Someone else who is making a huge difference is 44-year-old Goonellabah woman Aleisha Johnston, who has saved more than 400 lives thanks to her blood and plasma donations at the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood centre in Lismore.
Finally, it’s time to turn the TV back on, because there are some local productions that you really need to watch.
Nine Perfect Strangers, based on the book by Liane Moriarty and starring Nicole Kidman, is a series that was filmed on the Northern Rivers.
It’s binge-worthy, trust us.
For the kids, Bangalow author Tristan Bancks is having his series of children’s books turned into a 20-part TV series. So cool!
Have you got any other inspirational local stories to share with us? Send an email to northernstar@news.com.au and share the love.
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