Amazon Australia works with St Vincent De Paul Society to support students in need

Amazon Australia has teamed up with the St Vincent De Paul Society (Vinnies) to provide 1000 students from underrepresented and underserved communities with some of the essentials they need to go back to school (BTS). Families of students will be able to use Amazon Gift Cards to select from a wide variety of quality products featured in our online BTS store including backpacks, stationery, lunchboxes, water bottles, notebooks and more.

This donation initiative is part of Amazon’s global commitment to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds to help them be successful at school by removing barriers to learning and providing students and their families with what Amazon calls ‘Right Now Needs’ including clothing and school supplies.

“The start of this school year will be a difficult time for many families across Australia, so we have teamed up with Vinnies to provide support to some of the students who need it most,” said Matt Furlong, Country Manager of Amazon Australia. “We hope this support will help ensure that more students from under-served communities can focus on their studies and thrive, and not fall behind as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.”

“The impact of COVID-19 means that many families started 2021 unsure of how they will put food on the table, let alone purchase backpacks, stationery and lunchboxes to start the school year," said Claire Victory, National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society, “One in six children in Australia are now living below the poverty line. We are very grateful Amazon Australia is helping us to provide a little relief through donating gift cards our families can use to purchase some of these essential back to school items.”

Amazon works to empower more students to achieve academic success and to thrive at school to reach their full potential. Amazon facilitates STEM and computer science programs around the world and donates to hundreds of charities that are committed to meeting the basic needs of schoolchildren and their families in need.

Visit Vinnies Amazon Australia Wishlist to gift one of the many ‘Back to School’ items to kids in need.