OzHarvest - Supporting International Students
OzHarvest is Australia's leading food rescue organisation, driven by a
purpose to Nourish Our Country. Founded by Ronni Kahn in 2004, it began
with a simple concept to rescue good food that would otherwise go to waste
and deliver it to people in need. Starting in Sydney with one van,
OzHarvest now operates nationally delivering millions of meals and saving
thousands of tonnes of food from landfill.
Each week, OzHarvest rescues over 200 tonnes of quality surplus food from
more than 3,500 food donors and delivers directly to more than 1,300
charities helping to feed vulnerable Australians. The impact of COVID-19
has seen food relief reach an all-time high, and OzHarvest has been working
hard to make sure good food gets to those who need it most, including
international students.
Supporting international students
OzHarvest has been working closely with local, state and federal government
to identify gaps in support during COVID-19.
One of the groups in need of welfare and food support are international
students who are struggling to make ends meet.
In response to this need, OzHarvest have launched a number of pop-up Hamper
Hubs throughout Sydney to support international students.
"Each week, OzHarvest will provide a limited number of food relief hampers
and frozen cooked meals available at 'pop up' locations in Sydney. The
delicious, quality meals provided are made weekly by OzHarvest chefs as
well by hospitality partners," shares OzHarvest.
"A total of 4,514 hampers filled with fresh fruit, vegetables,
ready-to-cook soup packs and essential food staples like pasta, rice,
muesli, milk and tinned food items have been distributed at Harbourside and
Rhodes to date."
Stories of success
International students across Sydney have been supported by the Hamper
Hubs, and there are positive responses flooding in from all corners of the
city. Vishnu, a student who sought support from Harbourside Hamper Hub, is
just one example.
"I lost my job in hospitality two months ago and have been living off my
super, but now it has run out. I am hoping now restaurants are starting to
open,I will find a new job. It is very good to receive food relief during
these times. Before we had constraints to buy food, we could only buy
limited food because of financial hardship. By receiving this food it helps
me through the week."
Staying resilient
OzHarvest acknowledges the difficulty of this time for international
students, with job losses and financial insecurity.
"The financial pressure, and need to still pay rent, education and other
bills, means that food can become a discretionary item for these students.
Providing food relief means they have one less burden to worry about."
In the face of these challenges, OzHarvest shares the importance of helping
one another as a community.
"I believe that by supporting one another we gain strength and hope that we
will all get through this time," shares Ronni Kahn AO, CEO and Founder of
OzHarvest. "The opportunity for us right now is to use this time to be more
empathetic, patient and understanding. That is empowering."