In the mad rush that seems to characterise the build up to Christmas, 110 leading restaurants across five States went that little bit further and supported the annual DineSmart event. Now in its 13th year, restaurants ask their diners to chip in an extra $2 onto their bill to support smaller homeless services in the communities where the restaurants operate.
From 9th Nov to 31st Dec diners generously chipped in a massive $264,096 (up 12% on the 2014 tally). Every cent of the proceeds raised will now go to fund grassroots homeless services. Restaurants and their customers have now helped StreetSmart raise over $3.85 million funding over 450 community organisations. A good many of the participating restaurants increased their donation collection year on year – an awesome achievement.
Our 2016 DineSmart Top 15 Fundraisers…
1. Chin Chin (Melbourne) – National and VIC Fundraising Champions
2. Stalactites Restaurant (Melbourne) – National Fundraising Champions Runners Up and Most Improved
3. Cafe Sydney – NSW Fundraising Champions
4. Windy Point Restaurant – (Adelaide) – SA Fundraising Champions
5. Mamasita (Melbourne)
6. Hanoi Hannah (Melbourne) – Best New Participant
7. Crabapple Kitchen (Melbourne)
8. Longrain (Sydney)
9. The Apollo (Sydney)
10. Longrain (Melbourne)
11. Baby Cafe & Pizzeria – (Melbourne)
12. Kong – (Melbourne)
13. Il Centro – (Brisbane) – QLD Fundraising Champions
14. Tokyo Tina (Melbourne)
15. Izakaya Den (Melbourne)
Stalactites
Hanoi Hanna
Crabapple Kitchen
Adam Robinson CEO of StreetSmart Australia congratulates everyone involved in DineSmart; “Applauding our champs is important but equally important is the participation and engagement of the community by the 133 restaurants involved. Over the years we have worked with an amazing group of top hospitality professionals and this results in real impact for local communities. 2015 proved again that the industry has a big, generous heart and that diners appreciate the opportunity to chip in a micro donation to provide critical funding for smaller organisations. We couldn’t do this without our restaurant partners and their staff. Again and again, our supporters get involved and make a difference at what is a very busy time of year. I also want to thank every diner who chipped in, sometimes many times over the 7 week campaign. I applaud them all, because government funding is being cut across the sector, and without our small community grants some of these important services would end or not get up and running.”
StreetSmart Australia’s next round of Community Grants will be announced in April 2016.
