Food Assistance
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.
Delivery locations and/or access to the food hampers might be different in the event of a lockdown, or when there are under stay-at-home orders in specific areas.
Order your hamper by following 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.
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 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Address: 97 Quarry Street, Ultimo
Website: www.uniting.org/community-impact/harris-community-centre
Please call 02 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.
The Market is located 95 Wellington St, Waterloo (10-minute walk from Redfern Station).
During the COVID lockdown period, customers will be able to collect a hamper from outside the store between 10:00am to 2:00pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
Website: https://www.ozharvest.org/ozharvest-market-waterloo
The Staples Bag
Has affordable groceries for those facing food insecurity in three locations:
- Camperdown, temporarily doing drop-offs only (Wednesdays)
- Campsie, Mon-Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm, Sat-Sun 9:00am to 2:00pm
- Parramatta, temporarily doing drop-off only (every second Friday)
Website: https://www.thestaplesbag.ssi.org.au
Addi Road Food Pantry
Has affordable, fresh food for those facing food insecurity available in two locations:
- Camperdown (31 Pyrmont Bridge Street) open Tue-Fri 12:00pm to 4:00pm
- Marrickville (Addison Road) open Mon-Fri 12:00pm to 4:00pm
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
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.
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 has received funding from the Australian Government to deliver emergency relief and casework support for people who are on temporary visas.
Support services available for international students
