As an international service organisation Rotary helps people in need all over the world.
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And during COVID-19 it is also supporting those from around the globe in need close to home.
When the Rotary Club of West Wollongong heard a call for help from staff at the University of Wollongong working with the Shining Stars Foundation it was quick to help.
The Shining Stars Foundation is a mobile outreach service that helps people doing it tough and noticed a need for pantry staples and food to help international students during the coronavirus crisis.
The Rotarians were told how many students were unable to return home, had lost jobs because of COVID 19, and their families were unable to send money due to bank closures and restrictions on travel.
"Many were in dire straits," a club spokesperson said.
But with donations from the Rotary and the community they have been able to help the university staff helping the students provide pantry goods, groceries and hot meals to over 1800 students on campus in recent months.
West Wollongong Rotarians were then put in contact with Harry Hunt, a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Liverpool and proprietor of Hunts Hotel, Casula, who generously provided 600 pre-cooked meals to distribute to students in need.
Jim Christensen coordinated West Wollongong Rotarians to collect and distribute the 600 meals.
The club spokesperson said the Wollongong community was supporting the students far from home the same way it would like youth from the Illawarra treated if they were stranded on the other side of the world.
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