Flood support continues with MNC businesses offering "acts of kindness" to locals

The recent flooding across the Mid North Coast caused hundreds of homes to become unliveable and left small businesses and primary producers begging for increased financial assistance – but for many locals its impact has been deeply felt, even by those not directly in its path.

That’s the message of Adopt a Street, a community initiative launched by Port Macquarie’s Jake Little and his partner Jacques that aims to empower local businesses who want to support their communities and provide “acts of kindness” to residents during a difficult time.

Through an online form on its website, Adopt a Street connects local businesses with flood-affected communities across the region, from Taree to Coffs Harbour. Businesses are able to provide support to individuals, households and entire streets through free and discounted services and products, like coffee and meals, yoga classes, hairdressing, white goods, clothing, tickets to attractions, cleaning and trade services, and insurance support.

"We kind of describe it like dating — you’ve got two interested parties and we’re in the middle, making sure the match is appropriate depending on where the applicant lives and what they’ve asked for,” Little told the Mid North Coaster.

Residents and community groups can also offer a helping hand. To date, the most popular request has been opportunities for social connection.

Little said the initiative is “not a handout. It’s an act of kindness.” 

"We’ve got businesses waiting — so people shouldn’t feel embarrassed. This is about kindness, not charity,” he said.

"The narrative we're trying to shift is: You might not need it, but would it help? Would it make you feel better, even just for a moment?"

Local businesses that have already signed up include Betta Kempsey, Connective Fitness Nambucca Heads, Better Insurance Cover Port Macquarie, Manning Veterinary Hospital, and Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.

“I'd like to say we've been surprised, but I guess we're not because people on the Mid North Coast, from what I've learned, are very generous – not only with their time but also their services,” Little said.

Started as a conversation in the car

The idea for Adopt a Street came about after Little and his partner witnessed first-hand the damage to Taree, visiting the area for a community-clean up of the huge amounts of mud the high water levels left behind.

The pair spoke to Taree businesses and residents who said they wanted to help, beyond shovelling mud.

On the drive home, Little and his partner came up with the idea to connect local businesses with residents.

Beginning with one match in Port Macquarie, the initiative has expanded from Taree to Coffs Harbour.

"We wanted something super simple, super easy, that didn’t involve us transacting money — just acts of kindness.

"We're not a funding body. We're just a family helping connect people with what they need, longer-term."

Around for the long haul

While the initiative complements disaster recovery assistance by the government, its intention is to be around for the longer term.

Little said Adopt a Street is about stepping in when the immediate response is over. 

“When the media is kind of headed out…and the emergency services have departed…we still have flood affected residents front of mind,” he said.

“I hope that this will continue definitely into next year and probably the year after, probably until the next unfortunate disaster.”

The initiative is expanding during the recovery phase.

“People understand that governments are there to help, but people want that feeling and that power to actually help out…this is just one of the things that people can do at this time in the recovery phase to help out,” Little said.

There are government recovery grants currently available to those affected by the East Coast Severe Weather Event, including grants up to $75,000 for primary producers, $10,000 grants for rural landholders, and low interest loans and subsidies. 

How to ask for and offer help

A whole street, household or individual can apply. 

Expression of Interest (EOI) forms for both residents and businesses are available on the Adopt a Street instagram and website

To find out what’s on offer, head to the website.

“We do ask people to send through a description of how they have been affected, but… you don't need to have lost everything to have been impacted, and we have a whole range of experiences that people have had, whether that be just water up to their front lawn versus water over their house,” Little said.

Thumbnail: (L) Jake and his partner Jacques have been handing out flyers to businesses and flood-affected streets along the Mid North Coast since May (R)Adopt a Street partnered with the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. Pictures supplied.