Food assistance

#InThisTogether

Study NSW has prepared the following resources to assist international students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Study NSW and Food Bank Partnership

Study NSW has partnered with Foodbank NSW & ACT to provide free food hampers* to international students in NSW.

The hampers will be distributed at locations in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Armidale, Lismore, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.

To access your hamper, follow these steps:

Call Food Bank on (02) 9756 3099 or complete this Foodbank form for international students
State that you are an international student and your suburb, then ask for the distribution point closest to you
Have your student visa and student card with you when you collect the hamper

We trust these hampers will provide some comfort during these challenging times.

*Limited numbers available

City of Sydney and Oz Harvest Partnership

OzHarvest Hamper Hubs will provide a new emergency food relief service for vulnerable members of the community, especially International Students and Temporary Visa Holders. This initiative is available thanks to funding from the City of Sydney and NSW Government, nib Health Funds along with retail space provided by Mirvac.

Each week, OzHarvest will provide a limited number of Food Relief Hampers and frozen ready-to-eat meals available at a ‘pop up’ locations in Sydney. The delicious, quality meals provided are made weekly by OzHarvest chefs as well by hospitality partners.

If you are an international student or temporary visa holder in need of food relief, you can register for one of our Sydney locations.

The Hamper Hubs are open 12pm to 4pm on Thursdays.

Emergency food assistance for international students in Sydney

City of Sydney Community Hotline

International students who are facing hardship and located within the City of Sydney Local Government Area are encouraged to call the City of Sydney COVID-19 Community Hotline. City staff are trained to provide information on accommodation, access to food, finance, isolation, personal wellbeing and community support. The Community Hotline is 02 9265 9333 and is open 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can also register for their Community Check-in Service and receive a regular call.

Phone: 02 9265 9333

Uniting Harris Community Centre Emergency Food Support Service

Anyone experiencing difficulties is welcome to access this service, including international students. Open Monday to Thursday between 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm.

Address: 97 Quarry Street, Ultimo

Website: www.uniting.org/community-impact/harris-community-centre

Please call 9552 1140 or email harriscentre@uniting.org with your details and reason for accessing this service.

OzHarvest

Students can get free food hamper at the OzHarvest Market, located at 147 Anzac Parade, Kensington. The Market is open from 10am until 2pm, Tuesday to Friday.

Website: https://www.ozharvest.org/what-we-do/market/

The Staples Bag

Has affordable groceries for those facing food insecurity in Campsie and Parramatta.

Website: https://www.thestaplesbag.ssi.org.au/

Addi Road Food Pantry

Has affordable, fresh food for those facing food insecurity based in Marrickville.

Website: https://addiroad.org.au/the-food-pantry/

Lou's place

Lou's place is providing free take away lunch boxes at 12:30pm each day for women only.

Website: www.lousplace.com.au

Rough Edges

Rough Edges is a non-government organisation that aims to bring a greater sense of self to everyone who walks through their doors. Opening hours to be confirmed on a daily basis. Please call in advance for take away dinner (7:30pm-8:30pm), case management and counseling.

Website: https://www.roughedges.org/

Phone: 9360 6844

Hindu Council of Australia

International students can receive cooked food and dry groceries. Please fill out the Crisis Help Form online on their website.

Website: https://hinducouncil.com.au/new/how-to-get-crisis-help-from-hbf

Baycity Care

Bay City Care is a not-for-profit organisation that works collaboratively with the community, government, non-government agencies to address a range of social and immediate issues. During COVID-19 Baycity Care are providing free food hampers and restaurant prepared meals, assistance with utility bills and ongoing access to their Foodcare program.

Website: www.baycitycare.com.au

Emergency food assistance for international students in NSW

FoodBank

Connects people in need to charity partners who provide meal and grocery services throughout NSW.

Website: https://www.foodbank.org.au/covid-19-nswact/?state=nsw-act

Phone: (02) 9756 3099

Food Fairness Illawarra

Lists all the free meal services available in the Wollongong area for anyone facing food insecurity.

Fact Sheet: http://foodfairnessillawarra.org.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Low-Cost-and-Free-Meals-Directory-2018.pdf

Anglicare

Provides free emergency food packages for anyone facing food insecurity. Also provides low-cost groceries through their Community Pantry.

Website: https://www.anglicare.org.au/what-we-offer/food-and-financial-assistance/help-with-food/

Food Recovery

Provides free meals and food hampers to those facing food insecurity on the Far North Coast of NSW.

Website: http://www.foodrecovery.org.au/locations.html

Ask Izzy

Students can visit www.askizzy.com.au it will help them locate food services and other support services their area.

Department of Social Services Database

Impacted students are eligible be access emergency payments and access to services, food relief delivered by FoodBank Australia, SecondBite and OzHarvest, along with specific services, including case work support for temporary visa holders from Red Cross. The Department of Social Services maintains a database of all community organisations.

Website database: https://serviceproviders.dss.gov.au

Red Cross assistance for people on temporary visas

Red Cross is receiving funding from the Australian Government for the next six months to deliver emergency relief and casework support for people who are on temporary visas.