No doubt that still occurs, but with the needs skyrocketing and community fracturing, ad hoc helping hands aren't enough any more, and not everyone feels comfortable going to a charity.

Enter the power of Facebook, and one very kind-hearted woman.

"I was noticing an increase in people reaching out online for assistance with day to day living issues, such as being able to cover food for the week due to extenuating circumstances and having landlords end tenancies, leaving families to basically sink or swim," said Ange Harding, recalling the moment she started a Facebook group, just over two months ago, aimed at looking after those in need.

It began as a place to source temporary emergency accommodation, but quickly started to encompass other needs.

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Now the Goulburn Community Kindness Project Facebook group has swelled to 1,500 or so members, and the good deeds dealt out would be in the hundreds.

"It became apparent that there were gaps in terms of the people charities don't have the provision to assist, due to them not being disadvantaged enough," Ange said, who co-ordinates the group around her job as a copywriter and the needs of her children, including a new baby. (She credits her husband Don for making it all work.)

"People sometimes just need a hand when an unexpected crisis, through no fault of their own, arises. Community grassroots level action happens quickly, so I wanted to create a platform upon which we could see this happen. Hence the group."

Most requests are kept anonymous, and anyone can put their hand up to help, whether by supplying food or furniture, doing a grocery shop, or meeting some other need.

And Ange gets to see first-hand how grateful the recipients are.

"For people who have been helped, it's been mindblowing," she said.

"For many of these people, they have never reached out for assistance before."

Ange said the group is benefitting not only those in need, but those with desire to lend a hand.

"What I have found is that firstly, there are a lot of people who could do with a bit of a hand, but they don't feel as though their struggle is worth it," she said.

"They think somebody else is more deserving. To me, that indicates that there's not enough to go around, but I firmly believe there is. We have such an abundance of resources available in our communities, whether that be an unwanted, unused item of furniture, or an unwanted gift of a slow cooker.

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"People also want to help but haven't found a platform which allows them to do so in a direct, active way.

"Sure, we can donate to a charity, but we don't see exactly what happens. We are so distant from the actual process of the gifting and we're not actively participating in that process.

"The charities can only deal with so many cases, as their funding and resources allow. As a community, as a movement, we step in where there are gaps. And that is a win-win for everybody."

She said that she personally has been uplifted by the project.

"My wellbeing, and that of those who have gotten involved, has really improved and I feel a great sense of purpose and satisfaction in what we're doing here - kindness is awesome!" she said.

"It's so exciting though when you receive an urgent request for say $500 to fill a water tank and get some firewood for a family in need, and you put that request out and watch people jump in to chip in $5 here, $100 there.

"And then to achieve the target and pay that bill which was the cause of so much stress for a family...that's exciting! Myself and others who love donating whenever we can and helping others get a real buzz doing that."

To join the Facebook group click here and send a join request.

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