A bowls club on the state's far north coast is giving away more than $20,000 worth of food to those in need, rather than let it go to waste, following Monday's seven-day snap lockdown of the region.
General manager of Cherry Street Sports Club in Ballina Tere Sheehan said they may have been able to freeze some of the food but the majority would have gone to waste.
Mr Sheehan said he went to the club's board of directors and suggested the food be donated.
"They didn't even hesitate to say let's do something for the community," he said.
Mr Sheehan said they were pulling together 300 meals a day, which could be ramped up even more if needed.
"Yesterday we did about 80 meals for the day but today I think we've done that in 20 minutes," he said.
"Obviously there's a need for it in town."
Retiree Col Pittman said it was a great service.
"I think it means a hell of a lot, especially people who are locked in, they can get out and get themselves something and get back home," he said.
The meals are being prepared at the sports club and then available for collection down the road at Ballina's Hot Meal Centre.
Mr Sheehan said they were available to anybody who felt they needed support during the lockdown.
"I do stress that anybody that can afford to, please look after your hospitality staff in and around town... but if you can't afford that, this service is definitely for you."
Ballina Hot Meals president Col Lee said it was a great partnership between the sports club and their charity.
"We know that there are people out there who are doing it hard, it's difficult times," he said.
The free meals will continue until at least next Tuesday when the current lockdown is due to end.
