The #KindnessShake (KS) is a community-led initiative that aims to provide a weekly free meal to individuals experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19. In a partnership approach between international student volunteers, education providers and local businesses (who will initially offer “at cost” food and labor), the project’s objective is to ensure that no one in the NT affected by the crisis, especially international students and other temporary visa holders, go to bed without a meal and a kind and genuine smile.
The Kindness Shake was launched at the Charles Darwin University on Friday 3rd of April 2020 in presence of the Australia's Northern Territory Chief Minister, Michael Gunner MLA. Earlier, that very same morning, temporary residents, visitors, and more than half a million international students heard the controversial comment: “it’s time to go home”. Since its launch, the Kindness Shake has served over 700 meals, connected with dozens of local businesses and recruited 40+ volunteers.