Volunteers set up a collection point on Friday at Bomaderry IGA and they were swamped.

They collected 11 boxes full of groceries and about 95 per cent of customers bought an item in with their usual shopping for Vinnies.

One person donated everything on the food drive list.

Items on the food drive list are one litre UHT milk, small box of wheat biscuits, one litre juice, tin of Spam, tin of tuna, 500g of pasta, jar of pasta sauce, 500g packet of rice, tin of mixed vegetables, tin of fruit, box of muesli bars, small jar of peanut butter, small jar of Vegemite, jar of honey, jar of jam, small jar of coffee, box of 50 tea bags, 500g packet of raw sugar and one packet of biscuits.

One of the volunteers said Bomaderry residents were great people and they would like to thank them.

The volunteers will be at Bomaderry IGA again this Friday, June 22 from 3pm to 5pm to collect more goods.

IGA has agreed to donate its reusable shopping bags so that they can make up food parcels for those in need and avoid the use of plastic bags.

Meanwhile, according to St Vincent de Paul Society people have to make some tough decisions.

When you’re facing a huge energy bill, do you turn down the heating or do you go without meals?

When you can’t make rent, do you fall deeper into debt, or do you confront the frightening risks of homelessness?

St Vincent de Paul Society NSW President Denis Walsh said at the launch of the Winter Appeal that every day in Australia, someone faces impossible choices.

“Poverty means making tough decisions every day and every night. Right now in Australia, more than 116,427 women, children and men are experiencing or at risk of homelessness,” he said.

“Sometimes our hostels or sleeping rough are the only options they have.”

St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO Jack de Groot said from 2016 to 2017, Vinnies members provided over $7 million worth of food, in the form of vouchers or parcels, to people in need.

He added costs of essential goods had increased faster than many people’s wages.