The folks at Sugarvalley Neighbourhood Advancement Group know first-hand how tough people are doing it at the moment.
Demand for their care packs has grown considerably during the COVID-19 crisis as many have lost their jobs or taken a financial hit.
Not only that, supplies have been running low as the West Wallsend centre relies on donations from businesses and residents, which have dried up as people struggle to make their own ends meet.
But the group's appeal to the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has given them a much-needed boost to keep their services going for people in need.
Centre manager Michelle Brosnahan reached out to the foundation for $7000 to help fund the care packs, which they deliver to the community using a car also paid for by a grant from Newcastle Permanent.
"This one-to-one service ensures that not only can we donate basic food supplies, fuel vouchers and toiletries to those in need, but it also provides us with an opportunity to check in and assess the wellbeing of individuals and families as they attempt to navigate through these challenging times", Ms Brosnahan said.
She said the care packs were also a "soft entry point" for the centre to connect with people about other issues they may be facing, such as homelessness or domestic violence.
Charitable foundation acting chair Jennifer Leslie said while it was only a small amount of funding, the centre would make it stretch a long way.
She said the foundation was really trying to assist organisations in isolated communities, and the grant would offer direct relief to people who needed it most.
