We have officially launched the 19th year of DineSmart in Australia! From December 1st until December 31st over 60 venues across the country will be taking actions against homelessness, raising money together with their generous dinners. These are vital funds that StreetSmart will map and pool back into their communities, to support grassroots homeless organisations and services in their area.
Visa holders William and Lorena working at FareShare
“I truly believe this grant will be lifesaving…”
Peter Valpiani, The Haymarket Foundation
It seems an entire lifetime ago but back in December and before the January bushfire crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, just over 100 restaurants around Australia teamed up with their customers to raise funds for local homeless services. This was our 17th DineSmart campaign and our dedicated band of restaurateurs and their staff drove the event – chatting with customers and advocating for a world without homelessness. Little did they know what lay ahead for them and their businesses, and just how important these funds would be for frontline services dealing with a crisis the likes we haven’t seen in a generation.
Last week 33 community grants worth $191,150, funded by DineSmart 2019 donations, were distributed in VIC, NSW, QLD and SA. Read More
We will be sharing a lot of the positive impact we’re able to make in the coming days and weeks. Read More
This now takes our total funds distributed to $5,642,043, supporting 612 organisations. Read More
For over 16 years, DineSmart applies the simple model of asking diners to chip in an extra $1 on their bill and granting those donations to combat homelessness in the local community. Sadly, homelessness is on the rise and on any given night there are an estimated 116,000 people without a safe, secure place to call home. With unprecedented demand, and shrinking funding, the funds raised by DineSmart have become an essential lifeline for front line grassroots services and been a key source of funding for innovative ideas.
From November 21st – December 31st, 108 participating restaurants activated the campaign by educating diners on local community projects and seeking support- resulting in $245,054 being raised. This was a huge effort up 27% on 2017.
Jessica Macpherson, founder and CEO of St Kilda Mums
St Kilda Mums connects new and pre-loved baby goods with families in need, and was founded by a group of mums with the very simple idea that local families can help each other out.
With a little helping hand from funds raised through our DineSmart campaign, this volunteer powered organisation has grown to include Eureka Mums in Ballarat and Geelong Mums. Jessica Macpherson, founder and CEO of St Kilda Mums now oversees an organisation with over 2,500 volunteers. But it started with just a handful of goods she donated to the St Kilda Maternal and Child Health Centre. Read More
During the four weeks leading into Christmas last year, 114 restaurants across four states joined forces to help their hood. Over the merry season, diners shared meals with family and friends while chipping in a little to their bill to help those in need. With the power of $1 or $2 donations, generous customers helped us raise $194k. Read More
From classic Italian, to cutting edge European – we have the ultimate guide dining out in Brisbane while supporting local projects that tackle homelessness.
DineSmart Ambassador Andy Buchanan owns two of Brisbane’s leading restaurants – Urbane and The Euro – “We are proud to participate in DineSmart. StreetSmart have strong relationships with the homelessness sector, and the funds we raise support a range of really great projects in Brisbane.” If you have not indulged in the award winning fare Andy’s team dish up, DineSmart is the perfect excuse.
All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the unceded lands on which our organisation is located and where we conduct our business. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present. StreetSmart is committed to honouring Indigenous peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
StreetSmart is an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming workplace that values diversity of expression. We know that members of the LGBTQIA+ community are particularly vulnerable to experiencing homelessness and we partner with organisations that work to support people in need, without discrimination or prejudice.
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