Food Assistance

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

#InThisTogether

Study NSW and Food Bank Partnership

Study NSW partnered with Foodbank NSW & ACT to provide free food hampers to international students in NSW over 2020 and 2021.

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.

Fact Sheet: https://foodfairnessillawarra.org.au/our-directory/?directory-topic=low-cost-free-meals&location=all-locations

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