A call has gone out from residents, seeking donations of six inch plastic garden pots.

Hostel residents are propagating plants in the pots, which are then to go on sale at the Francis Foundation's two op shops in Port Fairy.

The op shops, in Princes and Sackville streets, are closed due to the COVID-19 crisis with a planned reopening date of July 1.

Money raised from the op shops helps fund the hostel, along with contributions from local trusts and rent paid by residents.

The Francis Foundation, which is a not-for-profit, has operated the Warrnambool hostel in Banyan Street for the last four decades.

Francis Foundation volunteer Peter McMahon said the hostel had nine residents, men from their mid-30s to 60s with mental health issues.

Volunteers like Mr McMahon help run the hostel while each resident has their own support person as an outside contact.

While there is a strong support network for residents, Mr McMahon said the propagating of plants and the resolve shown during the COVID-19 crisis had shown their resilience and independence.

"The pot plants project is been driven by one resident in particular who has a green thumb, he's doing a great job," Mr McMahon said.

"The money from the op shop is important to the running of the hostel so it is great the residents can help create something that can be sold.

"When the coronavirus hit, we were concerned because obviously our volunteers had to stay away.

"But the residents really stood up and showed how self-sufficient there are.

"That's a great sign going into the future, if something happens and we are short of volunteers at any time, we know it isn't the end of the world and that the hostel can keep functioning."

Anyone wishing to donate garden pots can do so by dropping them off at the Francis Foundation op shops in Port Fairy or at the back of the hostel at 78 Banyan Street.