Struggling international students are flocking in record numbers to free soup-kitchen style meals organised by the Salvation Army for the homeless.

Up to 50 international students queue with the homeless for lunch at the Salvation Army's city drop-in centre every week day, and about 20 hungry students show up for breakfast.

Some international students are having to resort to food handouts from Salvation Army because they can't make ends meet. Credit:Patrick Scala

Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle said the students were in a "desperate situation" and had only begun seeking meals from the drop-in centre in the past six months.

"They have real difficulty making ends meet, many are exploited in the workforce and are getting paid $7 an hour, gambling is also an issue for some international students."