To assist residents in choosing which charity or community group to support, Wagga mayor Greg Conkey recommends keeping money and donations local.

"There are a number of appeals, the Red Cross, the Salvos, various service clubs and the food centre at Kildare [Catholic College] are accepting non-perishable food items," Councillor Conkey said.

By mid-morning on Monday, the city had registered up to 1100 evacuees from across the fire-affected region.

Many having fled without anything, they are in need of food, clothes and basic toiletries, and Cr Conkey said it has been a challenge to ensure all these needs are adequately met.

"People are being very generous with food and toiletries, and I know that there are packs and hampers being prepared for the hotels and motels that have taken in evacuees," he said.

"Gift cards are also being accepted at places like Kildare to help people with their specific needs."

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack, applauded the generosity of the city, describing it as "the very best in human nature under these terrible circumstances".

He placed the onus on donors to find a charity that is contributing in way they would like to support.

"There are many charity groups which will be grateful to receive any donations from anyone who is in a position to contribute," Mr McCormack told The Daily Advertiser.

"Already, these groups have been inundated with money and material donations. I encourage people to get in touch with their preferred organisations to seek advice on how they can best contribute."

But with the influx of donations and the changing needs of evacuees, Cr Conkey advises people be mindful that donations of the wrong type of products may not be of any use.

"I'd say to keep an eye on the various Facebook pages where the latest advice is coming through," he said, indicating in particular the Kildare Bushfire Donation and Collection Centre page.

"The needs do change rapidly and they can be flooded with an item after making a call out. I know [at Kildare] yesterday there was a call out for two-minute noodles, and within 15 minutes, they had cartons and cartons of it.

"It's important to wait to see what's needed before rushing out to buy it."

While the immediate need is evident right now, Cr Conkey told The Daily Advertiser many of the fire-affected communities will have new needs arising as they begin to rebuild in time to come.

"When they do return, those who have homes to return to, they will still have needs," he said.

"The food [and other items] collected will be given to distribution centres in those areas to help as they rebuild."

Cr Conkey praised the generosity of residents from Wagga and surrounds but put the onus on individuals to know where they are donating and what their donations will be used for.

"Go online, look at the appeals, where they are and what they're doing and then donate accordingly," he said.

Our live and need-to-know fire coverage is free, to support local journalism and local news please subscribe here.