Otago students hitting foodbanks

The number of students using the Otago University Students Association foodbank has ballooned, stripping its budget and leaving the cupboard bare.

A struggle to find casual work and high power bills meant 173 students had used the foodbank so far this year, up from 40 in the corresponding period last year, s tudent support centre administrator Jessica Myers told the Otago Daily Times.

Students were increasingly finding their student loan or allowance did not cover living costs, she said.

A "noticeable number" of students had high power bills, many of more than $1000, leaving them unable to buy food.

The foodbank has had just two donations this year and already exceeded the normal budget.

Presbyterian Support chief executive Gillian Bremner said more students were also using its services.

In the 2006-07 financial year, of the 4500 people using the foodbank, 12 per cent, or 540, were students; in the year to the end of June that number rose to 16 per cent, or 720.

- NZPA