Foodbank

UCSA Foodbank Service


The UCSA Foodbank exists to provide students with a one-off food parcel when they are struggling to afford food. It is not intended to provide ongoing support with food long-term. Enrolled students are eligible to apply for the UCSA Foodbank twice a term, and if approved will be provided with $70 of vouchers (New World or Pak n Save) and non-perishable items that the Advocacy and Welfare Team keep in stock in their office. Please note, the vouchers cannot be used for alcohol, cigarettes, Lotto, or phone or gift cards.

The UCSA Foodbank service is accessible to both domestic and international students.

To enquire about the Foodbank, please contact the Advocacy and Welfare Team.

**Please bring your own bags to hold the non-perishable items**

Criteria

  1. A student must be fully enrolled at the University of Canterbury. Being “fully enrolled” here means that the student is enrolled in at least one course at the university, and final grades for that course have not yet been released.
  2. Applications will only be considered if the student can show they are currently experiencing financial hardship. Applicants need to show that the financial hardship is unexpected and temporary. Students with ongoing financial hardship are not eligible to apply for UCSA Foodbank.

Process

  1. Students must explain their situation to a staff member from the Advocacy and Welfare Team.
  2. If the staff member feels the student fits the above criteria, they will ask the student to fill out a Foodbank application form. Students are required to be open, honest, and forthcoming with all information required for their application.
  3. The applicant is also required to complete the Foodbank Non-perishable Items Form.

Documents Required

  1. Completed Foodbank application form, including the non-perishable items form
  2. UC Student ID card; and/or
  3. Proof of current enrolment, through logging in to their “MyUC” Internal Transcript. This is because UC student identification cards are issued for five years, irrespective of actual current enrolment status.

Note: At the Advocacy and Welfare team’s discretion, the applicant may also be asked to provide bank account details outlining the last ten transactions, to demonstrate that they are in financial hardship.