For some people, paying for food is the difference between being able to pay rent and sleeping on the street.

Members of the Highlands Business Circle donated food hampers to the Pathways program at Southern Highlands Homelessness Services to assist those in need.

Member Gary Ponder has been donating to the service for the past four years through the Business Circle, and said members’ fees helped pay for the hampers.

“We’re a bunch of business people who are able to give back the community, and we consider this type of commitment as giving back,” he said.

“We saw helping as a natural progression.”

Case worker Jodie Keeley said the hamper, which contained pasta and sauce, cleaning products, toilet paper, noodles, soups and tuna, could make a real difference to those who could become homeless.

“We are in constant need of food and we are most grateful of this donation,” she said.

“It’s great that local business owners are prepared to help disadvantaged residents in this way, as many sometimes have to choose between having something to eat or having a roof to sleep under.”

The hampers will be distributed to residents living in temporary emergency housing accommodation and transitional properties.