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Food

Don’t go hungry!

VUWSA operates a Food Bank, which gives out food parcels on the basis of personal need throughout the year. If your cupboards are empty owing to problems with StudyLink, fewer hours at work, facing financial hardship, or any other reason then we can help you out.

Come to the one of VUWSA’s three offices, fill out a form, have a talk with one of our trained personnel and pick up a parcel. At the same time we’ll give you advice on other services you might be entitled to.

The Food Bank is open at our Kelburn office on the ground floor of the Student Union Building between 12 and 2 PM, Monday to Friday, and during the opening hours at our offices at Karori and Pipitea.

Free Bread

Pick up some free bread every Wednesday and Friday morning. Bread can be collected from VUWSA’s Kelburn reception from 9 AM. Be in quick as it goes very fast. We appreciate the continued support we receive from both Aro Bake and Brumby’s Bakery in Karori that allows us to provide this service on a weekly basis.

StudyLink Special Needs Grant

If you have no money to buy food and your need was caused by an essential expense, then you may be entitled to a StudyLink “Special Needs Grant”. The maximum amount in a 52 week period unless exceptional circumstances or stated otherwise is $400 for a single person.

Criteria

  • You are a StudyLink client;
  • You have no savings;
  • You have assured StudyLink you have explored alternatives including borrowing money from friends or family;
  • You can prove you have no available funds (this means a verified account balance from the bank that includes the last 10 transactions made). This must be done on the same day as your appointment with Study link. (The official policy is that overdrafts do not count as ‘funds’);
  • If you have a part time job you need to take 2 pay slips.

If you think you meet the criteria, make an appointment with StudyLink by calling 0800 88 99 00. But proceed with caution, you are entitled to apply for emergency assistance for a Special Needs Grant or Recoverable Assistance although there are limits to how much you can get. As always we can’t guarentee your eligability, but if you do have issues with StudyLink get in touch with our Student Advocate.