During COVID-19 Foodbank received an increase in referrals of International students that were requiring food relief services.

Many International students had come to South Australia to commence or continue their university studies – an opportunity for bettering their education.

Due to their visa status, international students are largely ineligible for government benefits. Many in this group depend on the very jobs that were the first to disappear with the onset of the pandemic. So many International students are in an extremely difficult position, unable to return home and with families who may be struggling themselves and unable to support them.

Over 15,000 students registered for support services during COVID-19 with approximately 3,000 of these students registering for Foodbank food relief as a result of the impacts of the pandemic.

Meet Andy, a 19 year old International Student studying at a South Australian University.

Andy arrived in Adelaide in the beginning of February to attend an Adelaide based University.  He was looking forward to the opportunity of studying an IT degree in South Australia and had planned to work part time to cover expenses.

“I arrived in Adelaide for the first time in February 2020, 1 week later we went into lockdown. I moved into a share house with other students who were also studying IT”

“I set-foot in Australia during the most uncertain time of the COVID-19 pandemic”.

Due to the impacts of COVID-19 and business closures Andy found it difficult to find employment.

“I struggled to find work for the first 3-4 months as nobody wanted people that were new arrivals because of COVID”

“I did a small amount of work for Uber to help cover some of the expenses but it wasn’t enough“

Despite the small amount of work, Andy needed some additional assistance. Andy was told about Foodbank through his University and via Study Adelaide he was able to access a referral voucher to attend a Foodbank Food Hub.

“I found out about Foodbank through the university and then gained a voucher through Study Adelaide”

The Study Adelaide Program enables students experiencing food insecurity to access referrals to the Foodbank Food Hubs across South Australia, providing free and low-cost grocery shops (including free fruit and vegetables) for those in genuine need of food relief.

Andy was very grateful for the support.

“Foodbank was very good value and the prices meant I could get enough food to even store some for the following month… This meant a lot to me”.

“Foodbank made it possible for me to stand on my own two feet”

Since accessing Foodbank, Andy has commenced his studies and recently commenced working at a fast food chain.

“My new job will provide enough to cover my basic needs to be able to live”

“I know so many students still struggling and I have been getting the word out about how much Foodbank helps when you need it the most.”

“Thank you Foodbank – you helped me in a difficult time to move forward.”