Demand for AUSA food parcels has “increased significantly” in 2021, says the AUSA’s Advocacy Manager Careen Jack.
On the 27th of May, Jack reported that 26 food parcels had already been sent out that month. Data from the AUSA shows that students living away from home are most in need of food parcels, with demand spread across all different ethnicities. There has also been a drop in demand from international students, which can likely be attributed to diminished international student numbers on campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The food parcel budget will support the demand for the rest of 2021 if the demand stays the same, but if we see a large increase in Semester Two (which data shows from previous years is the case) we will have to find some other ways to purchase food,” says Jack. “Food drives in Semester Two help support this. Humanity First is coming on board in June to provide frozen meals which will be handed out with parcels and may relieve the need for some food products in the parcels.”
Food parcels can be picked up from the Student Support Hub during opening hours. Additionally, the AUSA website has information about a number of other food banks and sources of financial support that students can access.
The parcels contain a number of necessities such as tea bags, milk powder, rice, sugar, flour, canned food, cereal, crackers, muesli bars, bread, noodles and pasta.
Photo provided by AUSA Advocacy
