Free meals and groceries for international students in Victoria
The Victorian Government has provided more than $1 million to provide free food and meals to international students in Victoria.
If you need assistance with free meals or food voucher use Ask Izzy to find out about food aid available in your local area.
Local council areas - supporting resources
Many local councils across Melbourne and Victoria have developed resources that link community members with information about food relief and support services available during this pandemic. You can visit their websites below for more information.
Local Council | Information |
Ballarat | Food assistance: City of Ballarat and Federation University have established a community food pantry for university students experiencing food insecurity.
City of Ballarat has also established a referral process for community members experiencing food access issues. Contact Customer Service on (03) 5320 5500. |
Bayside | Hampton Community Centre is working with the International Student Co-ordinator of Holmesglen Institute of TAFE to deliver meals to international students |
COVID-19 pandemic emergency relief, including some services and community support available regardless of visa category. | |
COVID-19 pandemic emergency relief, including some services and community support available regardless of visa category. | |
A guide to food, meals, parcels and vouchers in view of food emergency. | |
Kingston | Community Support Hotline to offer information and support during the COVID-19 crisis: 1300 653 356. It offers information and connects callers with local support services including: emergency food aid, home support services, financial counselling/assistance, family violence support, mental health services. Highett Neighbourhood Community House is working with the International Student Coordinator of Holmesglen Institute of TAFE to deliver meals to international students. |
| Geelong | Geelong City Council coronavirus information Food Geelong - a list of organisations providing emergency foof relief in Geelong |
For specific information on food, financial and health resources, contact the COVID-19 special line: (03) 9688 0434 COVID-19 pandemic emergency relief, including some services and community resources available regardless of visa category. | |
Information on food relief and financial assistance. | |
The City of Melbourne provides a range of services, advice and support for international students. | |
COVID-19 pandemic emergency relief, including some services and community resources available regardless of visa category.
Merri Health offers support services including victim assistance and counselling program, family services, integrated family violence service, relationship and family therapy and generalist counselling services. Northern Community Legal Centre provides confidential and free legal advice for Housing and rental rights, Employment, Debt, Fines, Accessing financial support and more. | |
Whittlesea Community Connections – emergency relief (food, bills, housing, transport, medical expenses) and casework, contact 9401 6644 Catholic Care – food vouchers, material aid, financial/bill support, contact 8468 1305 Country Wide Community Missions – food hampers, contact 0411 394 494 Encompass Care Victoria – food hampers & material aid, contact 0400 465 207 Essential Indian Groceries - Sikh Community – essential Indian groceries, contact 0476 850 607 (text only) From Us 2 You – food hampers, contact 0412 042 069 Infinity Church – Community Meals Kitchen – food hampers, contact 0409 354 633 Mill Park Baptist – The Shak – meals (drive through pick-up only), contact 0400 072 933 St Vincent De Paul – food hampers, material aid, financial/bill support, contact 1800 305 330 The Salvation Army – food hampers, material aid, financial/bill support, contact 9436 9200 Vittle Feast Project – food boxes/groceries, contact 0420 821 646
|
Community support and food relief
Additionally, there are many Victorian community organisations who are providing assistance to vulnerable people who have been impacted by the pandemic. Please find a list of these organisations below. To find out more, click their name to visit their website.
| Victoria Wide | Melbourne and Inner CBD | Outer Eastern Area | South East Area | Outer Western/South Western Area |
Organisation | Services they provide | Location | |
Victoria Wide | |||
Information, referral and support services including Emergency Relief (food vouchers and food, assistance with bills and medicines). | Various | ||
Emergency food relief
| Southbank, Lower Plenty, Ringwood, Pakenham, Geelong | ||
Food, clothing and financial assistance | Various | ||
Food and financial assistance | Various | ||
| Soup vans at many locations providing food, clothing, emergency housing and material aid, financial assistance and general support | Various | ||
| Food and material aid including white goods, bedding and other household essentials | Various | ||
Food and grocery items | Various | ||
Food and grocery items | Various | ||
The Global Hindu Association for Reform and Sustainable Society (GHARS) | Food | Various | |
Food | Various | ||
Food | Various | ||
Food | Various | ||
Food | Various | ||
Clothing, warm bedding and food | Various | ||
| Free support, information, guidance, referrals and resources | Various | ||
Melbourne and Inner CBD | |||
Emergency relief, a food bank and market program | Carlton | ||
Food | Fitzroy | ||
Clothing, sanitary and essential items. | Port Melbourne | ||
Food | Port Melbourne | ||
Food | South Melbourne | ||
Food | St Kilda | ||
Food and grocery items | Thornbury | ||
Vegetarian meals: Call 0438 716 335. | Port Phillip Area | ||
| Halal food and grocery items | Brunswick | ||
| Food and crisis support | Albert Park | ||
Outer Eastern Area | |||
Support for people at risk of homelessness, facing tenancy issues. Assistance for residents in the Maroondah and Maribyrnong communities with emergency relief, such as food and financial aid. | Various | ||
Food and toiletries | Blackburn | ||
Food and grocery items | Blackburn | ||
Food, clothing and financial assistance | Dandenong Ranges | ||
South East Area | |||
Material aid and crisis assistance | Dandenong | ||
Food, clothing and financial assistance | Dandenong, Doveton, Noble Park | ||
Outer Western/South Western Area | |||
Food and grocery items | Laverton | ||
Food and financial assistance | Maidstone | ||
Food and grocery items | Melton | ||
Please contact the charity to find out what services they provide | Point Cook | ||
Support, including care packs with some food and health/hygiene products for international students struggling due to the COVID pandemic. | Reservoir | ||