Hawkesbury's Helping Hands Celebrates 15 Years of Community Support

Hawkesbury's Helping Hands, a charity based in Windsor in Sydney's north-west, is marking 15 years of providing food relief and essential items to local residents and disaster-affected communities. Founded by Linda Strickland and her then eight-year-old daughter Cassidy after discovering someone searching for food in their backyard bin, the organization has expanded from delivering home-cooked meals in plastic containers at a local park into a major regional relief operation.

Today, the charity operates out of a warehouse and relies on a team of around 20 volunteers. During peak demand periods, such as Christmas or major disasters, the organization handles between 20 and 30 pallets of food daily, sourced from supermarkets and food relief charities. In addition to supporting people experiencing homelessness, the charity now assists working families, two-income households struggling with living costs, and residents travelling from outside the immediate area, including the Hills district.

Disaster Response and Community Impact

Over the past decade and a half, Hawkesbury's Helping Hands has played a prominent role during localized crises, including the 79-day Gospers Mountain bushfire in 2019–20, five major floods between 2020 and 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic, and periods of drought. In February 2020, the organization was called upon overnight to set up an evacuation centre utilizing its stockpile of air mattresses, pet supplies, and snacks.

The charity's high-profile crisis efforts prompted visits from former Prime Minister Scott Morrison in March 2022 and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in July 2022. Despite these visits, Ms. Strickland noted that the charity receives no direct ongoing government funding, relying instead on business sponsorships and community donations. Federal MP for Macquarie Susan Templeman noted she provided a federal volunteer grant to the organization in 2024, alongside broader federal funding directed to major food relief suppliers that partner with the group. Local politicians, including NSW Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston, have praised the charity's ongoing support for vulnerable residents.

Future Disaster Preparation

To prepare for future emergencies, the charity recently expanded into an adjacent warehouse room. The facility stores pre-wrapped crates containing air mattresses and sleeping bags, as well as newly acquired flood-proof bags designed to protect household items underwater for up to four weeks. Additionally, the charity is preparing for upcoming heatwaves by opening its warehouse as a cooled relaxation zone equipped with fans and seating.