However, the groceries are just a little bit of hope for the farmers facing severe drought.

Mrs Schultz, along with her friends Anne Gammon, Cathy O’Brien and Kay Johnson from Queensland, have been collecting essential items to send to farmers’ families.

From toilet paper to children’s colouring-in books, donations from Cootamundra have filled 13 bags which will be given to the NSW Farmers Support Network.

Mrs Gammon said it was about telling farmers that people in towns and cities cared about them, to let them know they weren’t alone.

“It’s really important to lift the spirit,” Mrs Gammon said.

“A lot of effort goes into feeding animals, but there’s nothing done about essentials for people."

The support network will be distributing the supplies to farmers west of Goolagong in the state’s Central West.

It’s work which isn’t unfamiliar to Mrs Schultz who helped collect donations during the millennium drought a decade ago.

“I received a box packed for a family of four, with something for mum, dad and the kids and letter of hope,” Mrs Schultz said.

“We want to address the hopelessness.”

Mrs Schultz said she couldn’t imagine what it would be like for a farmer to face family and friends after having to de-stock their property.

It all started with Mrs Schultz’s son Grant asking his mum how he could help farmers.

“As soon as we started asking, people started dropping off donations,” Mr Schultz said.

While Mr Schultz currently lives in Ulladulla, it didn’t take long for his mum to gather some friends in Cootamundra to help out as well.

“Fodder is clearly extremely important and it gives farmers a chance to retain their remaining livestock,” he said.

However, several initiatives are under way to help with fodder including the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners and the Buy a Bale campaign

He said something as simple as a hot shower and a good scrub might become a luxury during severely dry conditions.

“Farmers tend to put themselves last, they’ll feed livestock, their working dogs and work to keep their farms going, if they have a few dollars left, they may spend it on themselves,” Mr Schultz said.

Mr Schultz said providing a few essentials returned the favour to farmers and recognised the sacrifice they endured.

He said for many farmers, there was the weight of family, the farm, the business and heritage which could be a heavy burden.

Items such as soap, tissues, bottled water, long life milk, toothpaste and toilet paper can be left for donation at Mrs Schultz’s home at 62 Sutton Street.