AUSA Cares is a project by AUSA to provide care packages to students who need food and living resources.
The project was developed from the food package system that AUSA had running, with all students being able to get a free food package from AUSA House. The new AUSA Cares scheme includes more than just food, and also includes sanitary products and hygiene products; as students were still struggling to be able to afford the basic necessities to live.
As the University of Auckland was granted more funding by the government, the University offered some of the monetary resources to AUSA that allowed the project to develop from just food to care packages.
During the Red Light stage of the New Zealand Government’s Omicron response, AUSA has been unable to open AUSA House and has been providing students with coupons for living essentials instead. They are currently looking into delivering care packages to students in halls, and developing the care packages so they can become more accessible to students who are isolating.
Ishie Sharma, AUSA’s welfare officer, said that the scheme had been “really successful so far”. The food parcels alone were popular among students, with the hope that the care packages will become even more successful once AUSA House can open again.
Ishie also mentioned that they are trying to develop the care programme with even greater resources, so that the care programme can help students in a variety of ways. Ishie could not currently comment on some of the plans that were in the works, but urged students to “watch this space”.
To apply for a care package, you can go online to http://ausa.org.nz/cares/