The meals will be provided by three cafes across the RMIT City campus: Pearson and Murphy's on La Trobe Street; The Bean Project on level two at the new Swanston Academic Building (Building 80); and the T Square Club Café in the new Design Hub at the corner of Victoria and Swanston streets.
The family business is owned by brothers David and Michael Haddad and the scheme, which involves providing five $15 meal vouchers worth $75 to each student, will be administered by Student Wellbeing Advisors in the University's Student Services group.
David Haddad said he and Michael had established the sponsorships to help give something back to the university community that supported their business.
"I would urge other Melbourne café owners to consider making similar offers to those who suddenly find themselves facing financial hardship," he said.
The brothers own two other cafes in the CBD: the L7 Rooftop on level seven at RMIT's Building 80 and Melbourne University Brain centre's Dr Dax Kitchen café.
The Haddad brothers also own the hospitality development company Ecco Enterprises, a project management and consulting business with significant expertise in the conception, development and implementation of new cafe operations.
Professor Owen Hughes, the Dean of Students who oversees RMIT Student Services, thanked David and Michael Haddad for their generous sponsorship.
"This is a family business that is providing real leadership in the small business sector in terms of demonstrating that establishing sponsorships in education is not just a big business thing," he said.
"What Michael and David Haddad are providing will help us to help students who are suddenly experiencing financial hardship for a whole range of reasons.
"And I have coffee and/or lunch at Pearson Murphy's on a regular basis so I know that all the café staff do great coffee and food and that it is a very important meeting place at our City campus for both students and staff."
The sponsorship, worth $50,000 over five years, was negotiated by the University Engagement team's Industry Development unit.
