Hay Appeal for Drought-Affected Farmers
August is Justice Month for Global Care, the social justice and disaster relief arm of INC. As part of the 2018 Justice Month, Global Care launched a Hay Appeal to support drought-affected farmers in desperate need of relief. We interviewed International Director of Global Care, Ps Peter Pilt, to find out the impact of the Hay Appeal on farmers in need.
The Hay Appeal originated with the INC church in Narrabri who wanted to do something about the needs of farmers in their community. Ps Travis Lions, the Senior Pastor of Narrabri INC, contacted the Global Care National Office asking if anything could be done for the farmers.
“After some discussion, the Global Care Hay Appeal was born and a strategy was implemented,” Peter Pilt said.
Global Care had been given a grant to cover the transportation costs for one road train to drive the 1300kms to Narrabri for the local Global Care team to distribute the hay bales to farmers in need in the area. Through overwhelming generosity, what began as one road train to Narrabri quickly turned into three road trains of hay to farmers in Narrabri, Coonabarabran and Gilgandra, as well as drinking water to farmers in Roma and Mitchell.
“I am completely humbled by the generosity of people,” Peter said.
“By the time we have spent all the money raised, we will have helped 60 farmers with hay and care packs, and 25 farmers with water and food for their families,” Peter Pilt said.
“That’s 260 bales or 170 tonnes of hay, and 40,000L of drinking water,” he said.
The Hay Appeal was featured on the front page of the local Narrabri newspaper. Support is still coming in so there is a strong possibility of a fourth road train of hay.
“It’s been great to see Aussies and Aussie churches banding together to help the famers,” Peter Pilt said.
The Hay Appeal has made a difference in the lives of farmers living in severe drought conditions.
“There have been lots of tears, lots of appreciation and some very sad stories,” Peter said.
“Hearing the stories of the farmers is just devastating. One farmer’s lambs were so weak with hunger that the crows were pecking their eyes out as they can’t fight them off.”
“All the farmers we talked to were just so appreciative of the help and were very thankful to the people who generously gave.”
“It is making a difference,” Peter said.
Peter Pilt and Global Care Australia would like to thank: INC churches and everyone who gave to the Hay Appeal, Pastor Travis Lions, Narrabri INC, and the team from CityHOPE Church who helped facilitate the road trains.
You can partner with Global Care to support drought-affected farmers by contributing to the Hay Appeal. Financial contributions can be made by direct deposit:
A/C Name: Global Care
BSB: 704 024
A/C Number: 100 00 157
Reference: Hay
Global Care is a registered charity so any donations over $2 are tax deductible.