Supporting Australian communities affected by COVID-19

To help communities most vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19, Amazon.com.au and Amazon Web Services are working with organisations such as Foodbank Australia, Australian Red Cross, The Smith Family, and the Starlight Children's Foundation, as well as government departments and local councils, to source and donate much needed products including priority food supplies and personal hygiene products to the people who need them. We have highlighted some of the programs we are supporting below.

Foodbank is Australia’s largest hunger relief charity, operating on a scale that makes it crucial to the work of the frontline charities who are feeding vulnerable Australians. Foodbank Australia is playing a vital role during the COVID-19 crisis in ensuring pantry, fresh food, and personal hygiene products are distributed to people in need who are now isolated or vulnerable, via its charity network across the country.

The financial hardship being experienced by individuals and families across the country is placing huge strain on Foodbank. In fact, in recent weeks they have seen a 50% increase in demand for food relief. To help support the organisation’s critical programs, Amazon.com.au is donating funding, as well as sourcing and donating a range of high demand products including pantry staples, hygiene staples and household staples.

In addition to these programs, customers wishing to support Foodbank programs can donate here.

Amazon Australia is donating funds to support Australian Red Cross’ essential services to help those left most vulnerable in the crisis. This includes daily wellbeing calls providing psychological first aid to vulnerable individuals in isolation; and distributing food, hygiene packages and health information to vulnerable people across the country in quarantine and self-isolation.

Amazon Australia is also donating thousands of products from books and homeware, to clothing and shoes to Australian Red Cross so that when they re-open the doors of their 150+ brick and mortar stores, they are fully stocked and in a position to generate crucial funds for ongoing activity.

In addition to these programs, customers wishing to support Australian Red Cross programs can donate here.

Starlight Children's Foundation brightens the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children and young people by replacing pain, fear and stress with fun, joy and laughter. Since its establishment in 1988, Starlight has expanded to become the broadest reaching and most trusted children's charity in Australia. There is now a Starlight Express Room in every children's hospital in the country and over 160 Captain Starlights nationwide.

To help bring more joy to these sick kids’ lives during these difficult times, Amazon.com.au is donating toys, books and activities, and Amazon volunteers are sorting the product so that up to 2,000 kids will receive an individual and age appropriate package.

In addition to these programs, customers wishing to support Starlight Children’s Foundation programs can donate here.

As school holidays finish up and students prepare for term two, many schools and universities across Australia and New Zealand are shifting gears to deliver their studies online. This new way of learning means it’s more important than ever to ensure people have access to technology to enable their education.

Unfortunately, the lack of access to online learning will be most acutely felt by those who are already vulnerable, with research indicating that around 2.5 million Australians and 500,000 New Zealanders don’t have access to internet and digital devices at home which puts pressure on some families and students. To help those in need, we are working with The Smith Family in Australia and KidsCan in New Zealand, two leading charities who provide crucial educational support for children experiencing disadvantage. Our contribution will help provide financial assistance for education essentials such as school books, digital devices and internet access, as well as educational support programs and dedicated learning coordinators.

In addition to these programs, customers wishing to support The Smith Family can donate here and KidsCan programs here.

We continue to work with the community, agencies and local government close to our fulfilment centres in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth to support hundreds of local organisations as they care for the many vulnerable members within their local communities through initiatives including donations of food, hand sanitizers and clothing.

We thank all of these individuals and groups for their dedication and hard work as they respond to the community needs across Australia, and are proud to support them at this important time.