Two students' parents, Iwel and Titi Reza, initiated the program through a group they named "Moms UI".

Titi said she had sent 135 food packages to UI students from outside the city who were currently struggling to get food as many restaurants around the campus had closed because of the outbreak.

Support continued to grow for the program as more and more parents were taking part in it, she said.

"Thank God, there are a lot of people who care about the students," Titi said as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday.

"In less than a week we managed to gather about Rp 6 million (US$359). With the money, we are able to provide free food to the students twice a week for a three-week period."

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She said the money was collected from 20 parents, only a third of her community members, so Titi remained optimistic that there would be more people donating to the program. 

"Some parents have said that they would donate food like bread and milk instead of money. Some people outside the community had also shown interest in donating to the program," she said.

UI had asked its students originally from outside Greater Jakarta to stay in their dorms instead of returning to their home towns so as to curb the spread of COVID-19 to other regions.

"All students are advised to stay in their dorms or in their rooming houses until the situation gets better," UI secretary Agustin Kusmayati said in a circular on March 16.

Titi said that some students have asked for more food.

"Some students said 'Bu, could you give us more?' and I am sure we can provide them more food as more donations keep on coming," she said. (nal)