On International Coffee Day this year, something that began as a simple moment in the daily rhythm of campus life – grabbing a morning cuppa – became a powerful and purposeful act of generosity.

Through a collaboration between the UWA Student Guild, Development and Alumni Relations, The University Club and the Albany campus, $2 from every cafe menu order poured in Guild cafes – and partnering cafes in the City of Albany – on 1 October 2025 went directly to support The Food Pantry, a service run by the UWA Student Guild’s Student Assist Department. The Food Pantry provides short-term food relief and daily essentials to UWA students in a confidential and convenient way.

In addition to the funds raised from more than 2,300 coffees sold on the day, 120 generous donors contributed online towards the campaign, proof that UWA’s Coffee for a Cause movement has become more than a feel-good caffeine moment; it shows that everyday choices can create extraordinary outcomes when the community comes together (with or without a hot drink). 

Thanks to thousands of staff, students and alumni who love coffee (or tea, hot chocolate, matcha, chai latte, etc), these contributions translated into 1,108 hot dinners, 144 pantry parcels filled with essential staples, and 960 packs of sanitary products.

From a single cupboard of supplies established in 2016, The Food Pantry has evolved into an essential service, with demand surging in recent years as cost-of-living pressures continue to bite. It has seen a tenfold increase since its early days, growing from 126 students seeking assistance in 2022 to more than 1,900 in 2024 – which underscores how students need support now more than ever.

Each meal and necessity parcel or product funded through Coffee for a Cause represents more than an item on a shelf, it represents nourishment, dignity and stability for a student doing it tough, and the impact of this support goes far beyond a day.  

As UWA deepens its commitment to ensuring an equitable and inclusive student experience, donor support towards services such as The Food Pantry plays a vital role. The ripple effects are profound; when students have access to necessities and short-term relief that’s delivered with respect and confidentiality, they can focus more on their studies, prioritise wellbeing and work towards future pathways. 

With food costs, rental prices and transport expenses all rising nationally, The Food Pantry has become a lifeline. Each cup poured and every dollar donated demonstrated a shared belief that no student in our community should go without the essentials required to live and learn with confidence.  

More than that, continued donor generosity acts as a foundation to help expand the offerings of The Food Pantry, such as responding to emerging needs and improving supply consistency. 

Coffee for a Cause exemplifies what happens when a community rallies together, the possibilities of collective giving becoming a catalyst for meaningful change – One Cup. One Cause. One Big Impact.