Community Connect
Who is the Community Connect Food Relief service for?
The Community Connect Food Relief service is for eligible students identified with food insecurity. The rising cost of living and demands on time can negatively affect the student experience. Community Connect aims to support these students and connect them to other services so they can break the cycle of food insecurity.
Students that are HEPPP-eligible can receive ongoing food relief support. You can read more about the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) funding, including eligibility criteria here.
Students that are not HEPPP-eligible may still be able to receive food relief through Community Connect.
If you are unsure if our service is for you, please reach out to us at student.life@anu.edu.au and one of our team members will contact you.
Community Connect is only one of several food relief services available to students. Please see food relief at ANU and in Canberra for more details.
Initiatives to help reduce your cost of living
The ACT Government has a number of initiatives available to help support eligible Canberrans with the cost of living. These include:
- Assistance with the cost of energy bills via the Utilities Concession.
- Free of discounted travel on ACT public transport
- Rates rebate or deferral
- Help paying for school essentials via the Education Equity Fund
- Discounted vehicle registration and licence renewal
- Free health care at a Walk-in Centre
- Interest-free rental bond loans
- Fee-free TAFE to train, retrain or up-skill
- Free advice to save money on home energy and water bills
Find out more about these and other cost of living supports at the ACT Government Cost of living support webpage.
Community Connect provides a safe and welcoming space for students to connect with peers, support and community activities. We provide the Community Connect Food Relief service to eligible students experiencing food insecurity, and opportunities for students to engage with the community through events and drop-ins.
The Food Relief service provided through Community Connect will create a pathway for students to notify the University that would like to be contacted with options and information regarding food relief, food insecurity, and access to relevant support services.
Community Connect also houses one of the five ANU sponsored Dignity Vending Machines located on campus where staff and students can access a free period pack containing six tampons and two pads. A period pack can be dispensed from the machine every 3 minutes. Other locations include Chifley Library, Hancock Library, Menzies Library, and Law Library. You can find these locations using this map.
Recipes you can try at home!
Check out these easy recipes which include ingredients from the Kitchen Garden and basic staples.
Did you know?
Roughly 1 in 5 students will experience food insecurity during their studies.*
Community Connect is designed to build connection, promote belonging, and provide active engagement with Student Life services.
The Community Connect Food Relief service is available to eligible students experiencing food insecurity. It is one of several food support services available to students listed on this webpage.
*based on data collected through the Community Connect service.
What is the purpose of Community Connect?
The purpose and mission of Community Connect is to engage with our students and wider ANU community to actively address food insecurity and social isolation and foster a vibrant campus community.
Who runs Community Connect?
Community Connect is run by a small dedicated team of staff from the Student Life team. We work with staff and students across ANU to deliver our services.
What does Community Connect aim to do?
- Provide Food Relief for eligible students identifying as food insecure, engaging and connecting them with Student Life and other student support services.
- Provide opportunities to cultivate a culture of social inclusion and equity through engagement in co-curricular activities and events that not only teach valuable life-long skills but give back to community.
- Encourage students to engage with our team, get help navigating the complexities of university and student life.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Community Connect open?
Community Connect will be running a range of programs and drop in sessions across 2024. All open events will be advertised on our social media channels, as well as our Events & Stories webpage.
The Community Connect Food Relief service is available for students experiencing food insecurity throughout the year. Please contact student.life@anu.edu.au for assistance.
If you are in need of immediate assistance, please contact: student.wellbeing@anu.edu.au
The space has been organised so that there are professional staff there when it is open in order to facilitate referrals to other student support services across campus as required. It is also utilised for student engagement and development events and activities run by the wider Student Life team.
How is Community Connect funded?
ANU Community Connect is funded through Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP), with support from ANU staff and services. Student Life staff and workshops are partially funded by the Student Services Amenities Fee (SSAF).
What other programs are offered through Community Connect?
Community Connect is proud to collaborate with Student Life programs, and other departments at ANU to provide a variety of events and activities for students and staff.
If you are interested in collaborating with us for future focus groups, workshops, training, or other activities, please contact student.life@anu.edu.au.
If you have additional questions or queries that have not been addressed in the frequently asked questions, please email Student Life at student.life@anu.edu.au and a member of our team will be in touch.
If you are experiencing immediate food or financial insecurity, contact student.wellbeing@anu.edu.au for support.
ANU Community Connect is partially funded by HEPPP.
Learn more about the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
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