Regional Impact Fund
Australia’s future prosperity depends on the success of our rural and regional areas. Here lies our future food security, our energy supply, our climate resilience, our workforce, our cultural legacy. Yet communities in the regions face disproportionate threats – inadequate healthcare services put people’s health at risk, natural disasters devastate land and livelihoods, and first nations people experience significant barriers to education and opportunity.
In recent years, these challenges have been amplified by bushfires, drought, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Regional students, in particular, have borne the brunt of these hardships. With less financial support than their metropolitan counterparts, one in five regional students regularly go without food, while juggling a full-time study load and an average of 30 hours of work per week.
The Regional Impact Fund has been established to help overcome these challenges and ensure the continued success of our regions. Through scholarships and financial assistance, the Regional Impact Fund provides much-needed support for regional students affected by adversity, helping with tuition, accommodation, food and other identified needs. This support will have a tangible impact on their ability to focus on and complete their studies. The Regional Impact Fund also aims to build capacity to fund investigation and research into the ‘big’ issues affecting the regions and the development of practical and applied solutions.
The Regional Impact Fund invests in the future of Australia. Your contribution can help bridge the gap between regional and metropolitan areas, empower students, and build a more resilient Australia.
Student Food Pantry
At Charles Sturt University, we believe that no student should have to choose between their education and their next meal. Our Student Food Pantry is a vital resource that provides essential food staples to students in need, ensuring they can focus on their studies without the burden of food insecurity.
Food insecurity significantly affects students’ academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. Students facing food insecurity are more likely to experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, which can hinder their ability to concentrate and succeed academically.
A recent survey revealed that many of our students live on a food budget of just $50-$80 per week. This limited budget often means students have to make tough choices, sacrificing nutrition and well-being to make ends meet. International students are especially at risk, having no access to commonwealth supported programs they can easily be left behind in poverty.
The Student Food Pantry helps bridge this gap by offering free, nutritious food to those who need it most.
How The Student Food Pantry Works
- Location and Hours: The pantry is conveniently located on campus and is open multiple days a week to accommodate students’ schedules.
- Variety of Food: We strive to provide a range of food items, including fresh produce (available on some campuses only), non-perishable goods, and essential staples like rice, pasta, and canned vegetables.
- Sustainability: We encourage students to bring their own containers and bags to reduce single-use plastics and promote sustainability.
There was constant financial stress in my life before the Student Food Pantry opened. I am extremely grateful for this service which has helped me reduce stress and eat healthy foods.
Your Impact
By supporting the Student Food Pantry, you are directly contributing to the well-being and success of our students. Your donations help us stock the pantry with a variety of nutritious foods, ensuring that no student goes hungry. Every dollar makes a difference:
- $10: Provides a week’s worth of essential staples like rice, pasta, and canned goods, ensuring students have the basic ingredients for nutritious meals.
- $20: Supplies a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for a week, boosting students’ health and energy levels.
- $35: Covers the cost of a balanced meal plan for a student for a week, including proteins, grains, and fresh produce.
- $50: Introduces specialty items and diverse food options, such as dairy products, whole grains, and lean meats, enhancing students’ dietary variety.
- $100: Ensures a student has access to three balanced meals a day for an entire month, significantly reducing food insecurity and stress.
Your generosity ensures that our students can thrive academically and personally.
I have grown up in regional Australia my whole life and most of this has been in the Hastings area. It was important for me to stay in the area and attend Charles Sturt locally to stay close to my friends and family while also maintaining my community. As an indigenous woman, it is important to be connected to Country and community.