THEY’VE heard and seen the stories of devastation in drought-stricken western Queensland firsthand.

They’ve seen the hope fade from farmers faces as they look over the desert-like paddocks, once teaming with stock.

For the Community Disaster Relief team, each trip to Longreach has touched their lives in some way.

As farmers in the area continue to walk off their properties, the Warwick team are heading back out for a fourth time.

Six carloads of volunteers will leave the Rose City for Longreach on June 24, taking several tons of fresh fruit and vegies and thousands of dollars in donations with them.

To date the CDRV team have helped hundreds of drought-affected western Queensland families, delivering food, water, stock feed and tens of thousands of dollars in donations.

Board member Amanda Nothdurft said the need was even greater now than it was when the team first visited the area early last year.

“There’s a lot less people on their farms now,” she said.

Fellow board member Sarah Meyer has done each of the three food runs to Longreach with the CDRV.

She said a lot of the farmers were disappointed with the government’s drought support.

“A lot of the farmers who had hope when we first went out have lost hope,” she said.

While some areas of western Queensland have received decent falls of rain in the past week, it’s been relatively hit and miss.

Mrs Nothdurft, who worked as a jillaroo on a station near Longreach for several years, said a quick downpour would do very little for the ground.

“A lot of the properties we deliver to haven’t seen any rain,” she said.

“It’s very hit and miss out there when the rainfalls.”

When the crew head out later this month, they’ll deliver to about 200 families.

This time they’re calling the boxes of food donations Winter Warmers.

Mrs Nothdurft said donations in the past three food runs had been very well received by families.

“People have loved what they’ve been given,” she said.

“The dog food we were donated last time was very appreciated.

“So were the potatoes and sweet potatoes donated by Wickhams.”

This time around the CDRV have bought several tons of fresh fruit and veg from Sam’s.

The Rapid Relief Team have also donated 80 boxes of food and 80 boxes of water, while the PFD in Longreach have also been very generous – donating their warehouse for distribution and donating and selling food at discount prices.

The CDRV team have also been well supported by western Queensland communities, including the Mayor of Barcaldine and the Barcaldine Regional Council.

Volunteers have also come on board from other towns including Brisbane, Rockhampton, Charleville and the coast.

While the Rotary Club of Mermaid Beach and Palm Beach have raised nearly $12,000, buying hay from Monto to send out to farmers.

Tom Desmond from Emerald Refridgerated Logistics has also been a huge supporter, hauling dozens of loads of hay and other goods out to Longreach.

For those wanting to donate in Warwick, the CDRV team will be in the Rose City Shoppingworld on June 13–June 15 and June 20–21.

Mr Nothdurft said while food donations were always welcomed, money was preferred.

If we get monetary donations, we can buy the food locally in Longreach,” he said.

“It’s a win-win situation because the farmers get the food and the local businesses get the money.”

Toiletries and other personal items are also well received.

“Anything with a personal touch is great, especially for the ladies,” Mrs Nothdurft said.

“The biggest thing people don’t understand is that although these properties are multi-million dollar, the farmers are living in third world conditions.

“A lot of them are going malnourished.”

People are also being encouraged to donate fuel vouchers for the team of volunteers heading out there.

“We do 500 to 600km a day when we’re up there,” Mr Nothdurft said.

“Some of these properties are up to 150km out of Longreach.

“That’s six runs of up to 150km each way.”