Anglicare runs a community pantry out of its Main Street store in Lithgow, allowing people to fill a bag of pantry goods for $10. 

But residents have been keen to help pick up the bill, recognising that, for some people even $10 is a stretch. 

“That has allowed us to provide the first bag complimentary in some cases, which is really helpful,” Anglicare Lithgow store manager Stephanie Seers de Vasquez said.

This includes people sleeping rough in Lithgow, who have been able to secure a hot drink and a few necessary provisions. 

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Middle aged men have been falling through housing gaps in Lithgow, creating a visible homelessness problem.

In sub-zero temperatures, people without alternative shelter have been spotted camping on Lithgow’s Main Street, in Cook Street Plaza, at Hassans Walls lookout, sports grounds and other locations providing any kind of shelter.  

A Family and Community Services spokesperson said the number of households requesting housing assistance in the Lithgow area has significantly decreased.

However, specialist homelessness service Lithgow Community Projects’ Michelle Ringin said the problem was more visible due to a lack of temporary accommodation.

“The rental market in Lithgow is out of the reach of people on Newstart and Youth Allowance incomes,” she said. 

The combination of inability to find affordable long term rentals and temporary accommodation shortfalls in Lithgow resulted in people sleeping rough. 

People with complex needs that could not be addressed at the Lithgow FACS office had to seek assistance in Penrith, which created a barrier for people who had no transport. 

Ms Ringin said middle aged men were the hardest demographic to support, as there was no local refuge accommodation. 

“It is a huge gap for services,” she said. 

“Unless they are right in the heart of Sydney, it is very tricky.”

She urged people coming across rough sleepers to be respectful. 

“They aren’t there in -11 temperatures because they want to be there,” she said. 

“Maybe instead of walking past, offer them a warm drink.”

Anglicare's Ms Seers de Vasquez said she had noticed the concern Lithgow residents had for those struggling to make ends meet, including many people’s concern for the man who was sleeping in a vacant store front just a couple of shops away. 

As well as asking how they could help, people were leaving items of food next to the man’s belongings.