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Celebrating 20 years of good food and good people.

We are celebrating 20 years of DineSmart bringing together restaurants and their diners to raise money for local homeless charities. This year, donations will help fund training and employment programs for vulnerable people, providing refugees & asylum seekers, at risk youth, long-term unemployed, and disadvantaged women the tools and confidence to be job-ready and have a life-changing opportunity.

Help us scale the impact this year, donate online here.

Click here for Apple Pay

Donate

Our DineSmart 2022 Partners

Your Support Changes Lives

Sydney

Dress for Success Sydney works hard to improve the employability of disadvantaged women in NSW. This is achieved by providing free of charge, professional clothing, a network of support, coaching and career development tools to help women achieve self-sufficiency. And they welcome transgender women and non-binary people comfortable in women’s spaces.

For six weeks at a time, Parliament on King uses their café and all its facilities to train asylum seekers and refugees in the basics of running and working in a café including basic hospitality job skills, for example barista skills, food preparation, food hygiene and service. This project called ‘The International Shift’, is providing migrants the skills so they can get a job in a café or other hospitality venue.’

Plate it Forward aims to re-invent the definition of equal opportunity by providing food, education and employment where opportunity isn’t equal. They run a Chef Training School that employs and trains community members, providing them with employment, skills, and knowledge as they cook meals for their communities. This provides education, support and employment pathways and facilitates learning through giving. It’s also bringing important voices into their kitchens, with at least 50% of their students being women and 50% First Nations.

Darcy Street Project has a simple approach: They focus on skills that enable their students to prepare and adapt for any situation in Hospitality. Since 2014 Darcy Street Project has provided real work experience opportunities to thousands of at risk and vulnerable young people, early migrants and refugees, as well as mature-aged unemployed individuals. 

Through bespoke coffee making, BBQ and hospitality workshops as well as employment and educational pathways, everyday is a day they’re helping change lives for the better. 

Melbourne

STREAT is a food systems social enterprise that provides supported pre-vocational training and holistic personal support to young people aged 16-24 who need a hand. They do this through their youth programs, Taste of STREAT,  Fast-Track To Work, Paid To Work and Parkville Cafe Program.

For Change Co.’s home.plate is a paid, on the job training program that works to support participants to create their own pathway out of the cycle of youth homelessness.The program looks to not only build hospitality skills for participants but to also build broader employability skills and experiences.Extra workshops are also offered within the program structure to enhance participants’ skills and experiences including financial wellbeing, employability and individualised guidance.

Ready Set strengthens communities by empowering job seekers with clothing and coaching, so they can build their confidence, realise their dreams and change their lives. They do this by offering free and individualised services(Clothing & Styling,  Career support coaching, and Connecting) to meet the unique needs of each jobseeker.

Fitted for Work helps women in Australia experiencing disadvantages get work, keep work and navigate through working life with success. Their goal is to provide women with practical skills, knowledge, self-esteem and know-how so that they can move forward with confidence in the workplace.

Kinfolk Cafe supplements the staffing of their venues with volunteer shifts for Victorians facing marginalisation and barriers to employment – providing them with an opportunity to contribute to a community and build skills. Their ethos of ‘radical inclusion’ means we’ve built a vibrant and diverse volunteer community from all walks of life.

Youth Projects runs five different employment programs: ‘Transition to Work”, “Employability Skill Training’, ‘Disability Employment Program’, ‘Youth4Jobs’ and ‘Here4Hospitality’. They do incredible work to help early school leavers and young people experiencing unemployment gain the skills and confidence to transition into sustainable and meaningful employment.

Scarf provides front-of-house hospitality training, mentoring and paid work experience opportunities to young people (18-28 years) seeking protection, and those from refugee or migrant backgrounds facing barriers to work. Their programs also focus on general job-readiness and all training and mentoring is delivered through our Trauma-Informed framework.

Bridge Darebin’s TTT program is an award-winning, work-readiness hospitality program for neurodiverse people. This practical course supports students to make a successful transition to sustainable employment or further studies. Throughout the 20-week course learners build vocational skills in barista training, customer service and back-of-house hospitality as well as employability and interpersonal skills that benefit any public-facing roles.

All about DineSmart 2022

What is DineSmart?

DineSmart is a hospitality industry recognised and led event that takes place every December. Since 2003, thousands of loyal restaurant partners and their generous diners have teamed up to take action against homelessness. The event has helped distribute over $10MILLION, funding essential and innovative responses to homelessness across Australia.

How are the funds raised?

How were the funds raised? Funds were raised by dining at participating DineSmart venues between December 1-31. 

We are now in the process of collecting all the donations. 

If you’d like to help us scale the impact, you can donate online an amount of your choice by clicking below.

Where do the funds go?

This year funds raised are going to be distributed across different grassroot organisations that are providing training and employment opportunities for disadvantaged youth, refugees, long term unemployed and people with disabilities. Your donations will help provide them the tools to be job-ready and lift themselves out of the cycles of poverty and homelessness. 

Who took part in DineSmart?

57 venues across NSW and VIC took part in DineSmart this year. Check out our supporters here!

Supported By

Meet our 20th Anniversary Ambassadors

  • Simon Denton

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2003
    Izakaya Den 2029

    “I am proud to support DineSmart each year because of how huge the impact of such a simple initiative is. It’s never disrupted our service, and it has allowed us to provide vital support to the people in need in our area”

  • Sean Kierce - Ladro & Ladro Tap

    Sean Kierce

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2008
    Ladro Fitzroy

    “Through DineSmart we have helped to fund some fantastic local organisations that are literally a stone’s throw from our restaurant. It’s really great to be able to tell our customers exactly where the money goes, that it benfits local people.”

  • Martin Pirc

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2003
    Punch Lane and Waygood

    “DineSmart is an important event, giving us all a simple way of helping make things just a little easier for those in our community who need our help.”

  • Sam Christie

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2006
    The Apollo, Cho Cho San

    “We think it is important for business to give back – and DineSmart is such a simple way to effect meaningful change in people’s lives. ”

  • Andrew Grinter

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2007
    Pizza Doh!

    “I am always on the look out for new ways to fundraise for DineSmart. My goal is to bring our customers and community together to enjoy good food, good wine and raise vital funds for the charities in our local area.”

  • Ben Cooper

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2011
    Chin Chin Melbourne

    “We’re proud to have supported DineSmart ever since the first year we opened our doors at Chin Chin over 10 years ago. We love the event and that it really does make a difference. It’s always humbling to be in a position where you’re able to support those less fortunate than yourself, and it’s amazing to see our guests so happily supporting this initiative alongside us.”

  • Nathan Toleman

    Nathan Toleman

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2013
    Hazel

    “We are long term supporters of StreetSmart, and their hospitality campaigns! DineSmart is easy to run and makes a real difference to people’s lives – and our staff and diners love to get behind it.”

  • Quentin Ferguson

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2005

    “Many of us would love to do something but simply struggle to find an impactful and meaningful way to do so. By DineSmart selecting grassroots, solution based projects with people far closer to the issue than most, the money raised impacts those experiencing homelessness in a sustainable and forward thinking way.”

  • Andrew McConnell

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2003
    Cutler & Co, Supernormal, Builders Arm Hotel, Cumulus Inc, Marion and Gimlet

    “DineSmart is the perfect opportunity to engage with our customers over a great cause, and the staff love being a part of it. Year on year, we succeed in bringing meaningful impact to our local communities and even after 20 years, this initiative is more important than ever.”

  • Luis Herrera

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2010
    Mamasita

    “We’re based in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, and we have seen a real rise in the number of people sleeping rough right on our doorstep. It is easy to feel powerless, but our work with StreetSmart is such an important and tangible way to make a difference.”

  • Teage Ezard

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2005
    Gingerboy

    “Being one of the first supporters, I am proud to be an ambassador and supporter of the DineSmart program. It has been integral in ensuring we can assist the crisis which we have seen grow in the streets of Melbourne. Our diners have been so generous and understand how their support can make the change.”

  • Nick Coulter - Hanoi Hannah, Tokyo Tina and Neptune

    Nick Coulter

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2015
    Hanoi Hannah Vol II, Espress Lane, Tokyo Tina, New Quarter, Neptune, Firebird & Moonhouse

    “DineSmart is an opportunity to raise funds and awareness. When most of the press around homelessness is focused on the lack of funding, while people are really suffering – it is great to be able to positively engage – and take practical action.”

  • Melissa and Marco Gjergja

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2016
    Port Phillip Estate Dining Room

    “We are proud to participate in DineSmart. I know that lots of homelessness services are struggling with more people who need their help, and cuts to their funding. I think most people want that to change and through DineSmart we can help make a difference”

  • Nicole Papasavas

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2013
    Stalactites and Hella Good

    “We love being part of DineSmart. It’s a great concept that assists small, grassroots charities. It’s simple to administer and all our customers are very supportive as it gives them an opportunity to contribute, that they may not of otherwise had.”

  • Nick Shelton

    Nick Shelton

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2012
    Broadsheet Media

    “DineSmart is a fantastic initiative that Broadsheet has been proudly supporting for over 10 years. I encourage all restaurants to jump on board, and inspire your diners to help end homelessness.”

  • Chef Alejandro Saravia

    Alejandro Saravia

    DineSmart Supporter since: 2017
    Farmer’s Daughters and Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters

    “For the past 4 years it has been a privilege to be part of the DineSmart program, helping raise much needed funds that will help the ones in need. The opportunity that DineSmart provides to all of us to help raise awareness and work with our communities to help others has proved to be more than successful by obtaining the highest percentage of engagement and donations.”

“From day one DineSmart has been built on the generosity of restaurateurs and diners and action by hospo staff.  To end homelessness, and provide care to people in crisis, takes a whole of community approach, and DineSmart is a simple idea that empowers us all to come together and chip in to fund some of the solutions.” – 

Adam Robinson, Founder and Chief of Impact, StreetSmart Australia (Photo Arianna Leggiero, Broadsheet)

If you have any questions or wish to talk to us about DineSmart 2022 please contact
cynthia@streetsmartaustralia.org | 0423 814 799

Celebrating 20 years of good food and good people.

We are celebrating 20 years of DineSmart bringing together restaurants and their diners to raise money for local homeless charities. This year, donations will help fund training and employment programs for vulnerable people, providing refugees & asylum seekers, at risk youth, long-term unemployed, and disadvantaged women the tools and confidence to be job-ready and have a life-changing opportunity.

Help us scale the impact this year, donate online here.

Click here for Apple Pay

Donate

Our DineSmart 2022 Partners

Sydney

Dress for Success Sydney works hard to improve the employability of disadvantaged women in NSW. This is achieved by providing free of charge, professional clothing, a network of support, coaching and career development tools to help women achieve self-sufficiency. And they welcome transgender women and non-binary people comfortable in women’s spaces.

Plate it Forward aims to re-invent the definition of equal opportunity by providing food, education and employment where opportunity isn’t equal. They run a Chef Training School that employs and trains community members, providing them with employment, skills, and knowledge as they cook meals for their communities. This provides education, support and employment pathways and facilitates learning through giving. It’s also bringing important voices into their kitchens, with at least 50% of their students being women and 50% First Nations.

Darcy Street Project has a simple approach: They focus on skills that enable their students to prepare and adapt for any situation in Hospitality. Since 2014 Darcy Street Project has provided real work experience opportunities to thousands of at risk and vulnerable young people, early migrants and refugees, as well as mature-aged unemployed individuals. 

Through bespoke coffee making, BBQ and hospitality workshops as well as employment and educational pathways, everyday is a day they’re helping change lives for the better. 

For six weeks at a time, Parliament on King uses their café and all its facilities to train asylum seekers and refugees in the basics of running and working in a café including basic hospitality job skills, for example barista skills, food preparation, food hygiene and service. This project called ‘The International Shift’, is providing migrants the skills so they can get a job in a café or other hospitality venue.’

Melbourne

STREAT is a food systems social enterprise that provides supported pre-vocational training and holistic personal support to young people aged 16-24 who need a hand. They do this through their youth programs, Taste of STREAT,  Fast-Track To Work, Paid To Work and Parkville Cafe Program.

For Change Co.’s home.plate is a paid, on the job training program that works to support participants to create their own pathway out of the cycle of youth homelessness.The program looks to not only build hospitality skills for participants but to also build broader employability skills and experiences.Extra workshops are also offered within the program structure to enhance participants’ skills and experiences including financial wellbeing, employability and individualised guidance.

Ready Set strengthens communities by empowering job seekers with clothing and coaching, so they can build their confidence, realise their dreams and change their lives. They do this by offering free and individualised services(Clothing & Styling,  Career support coaching, and Connecting) to meet the unique needs of each jobseeker.

Fitted for Work helps women in Australia experiencing disadvantages get work, keep work and navigate through working life with success. Their goal is to provide women with practical skills, knowledge, self-esteem and know-how so that they can move forward with confidence in the workplace.

Kinfolk Cafe supplements the staffing of their venues with volunteer shifts for Victorians facing marginalisation and barriers to employment – providing them with an opportunity to contribute to a community and build skills. Their ethos of ‘radical inclusion’ means we’ve built a vibrant and diverse volunteer community from all walks of life.

Youth Projects runs five different employment programs: ‘Transition to Work”, “Employability Skill Training’, ‘Disability Employment Program’, ‘Youth4Jobs’ and ‘Here4Hospitality’. They do incredible work to help early school leavers and young people experiencing unemployment gain the skills and confidence to transition into sustainable and meaningful employment.

Scarf provides front-of-house hospitality training, mentoring and paid work experience opportunities to young people (18-28 years) seeking protection, and those from refugee or migrant backgrounds facing barriers to work. Their programs also focus on general job-readiness and all training and mentoring is delivered through our Trauma-Informed framework.

Bridge Darebin’s TTT program is an award-winning, work-readiness hospitality program for neurodiverse people. This practical course supports students to make a successful transition to sustainable employment or further studies. Throughout the 20-week course learners build vocational skills in barista training, customer service and back-of-house hospitality as well as employability and interpersonal skills that benefit any public-facing roles.

All about DineSmart 2022

What is DineSmart?

DineSmart is a hospitality industry recognised and led event that takes place every December. Since 2003, thousands of loyal restaurant partners and their generous diners have teamed up to take action against homelessness. The event has helped distribute over $10MILLION, funding essential and innovative responses to homelessness across Australia.

How were the funds raised?

How were the funds raised? Funds were raised by dining at participating DineSmart venues between December 1-31. 

We are now in the process of collecting all the donations. 

If you’d like to help us scale the impact, you can donate online an amount of your choice by clicking below.

Where do the funds go?

This year funds raised are going to be distributed across different homeless projects in your local area. Types of support include, but are not limited to, food and meals distributed by food based social enterprises, who are also training and providing life skills to vulnerable people; youth support programs, housing solutions, medical outreach, and many other vital community services.

Who takes part in DineSmart?

57 venues across NSW and VIC took part in DineSmart this year. Check out our supporters here!

Meet our 20th Anniversary Ambassadors.

Cath Claringbold

Cath Claringbold

Mecca, Mecca Bah and Livebait

“It’s been a pleasure to get involved with DineSmart and bring the initiative to my restaurants’ tables. Our diners always welcomed the idea, and a small donation can go a long way when the industry gets behind it. I encourage all restaurants to jump on board this incredible initiative!”

Simon Denton

Verge, Kappo, Izakaya Den 2029, Hero Acmi & Denton Wine

“I am proud to support DineSmart each year because of how huge the impact of such a simple initiative is. It’s never disrupted our service, and it has allowed us to provide vital support to the people in need in our area”

Sean Kierce - Ladro & Ladro Tap

Sean Kierce

Ladro Fitzroy and Ladro TAP

“Through DineSmart we have helped to fund some fantastic local organisations that are literally a stone’s throw from our restaurant. It’s really great to be able to tell our customers exactly where the money goes, that it benfits local people.”

Martin Pirc

Punch Lane

“DineSmart is an important event, giving us all a simple way of helping make things just a little easier for those in our community who need our help.”

Sam Christie

The Apollo, Cho Cho San

“We think it is important for business to give back – and DineSmart is such a simple way to effect meaningful change in people’s lives. ”

Andrew Grinter

Pizza Doh!

“I am always on the look out for new ways to fundraise for DineSmart. My goal is to bring our customers and community together to enjoy good food, good wine and raise vital funds for the charities in our local area.”

Andrew McConnell

Mrs Jones, Three one two, Cutler & Co, Supernormal, Builders Arm Hotel, Cumulus Inc, Cumulus Up and Marion.

“DineSmart is the perfect opportunity to engage with our customers over a great cause, and the staff love being a part of it. Year on year, we succeed in bringing meaningful impact to our local communities and even after 20 years, this initiative is more important than ever.”

Luis Herrera

Mamasita

“We’re based in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, and we have seen a real rise in the number of people sleeping rough right on our doorstep. It is easy to feel powerless, but our work with StreetSmart is such an important and tangible way to make a difference.”

Teage Ezard

Ezard & Gingerboy

“Being one of the first supporters, I am proud to be an ambassador and supporter of the DineSmart program. It has been integral in ensuring we can assist the crisis which we have seen grow in the streets of Melbourne. Our diners have been so generous and understand how their support can make the change.”

Nick Coulter - Hanoi Hannah, Tokyo Tina and Neptune

Nick Coulter

Hanoi Hannah, Tokyo Tina & Neptune

“DineSmart is an opportunity to raise funds and awareness. When most of the press around homelessness is focused on the lack of funding, while people are really suffering – it is great to be able to positively engage – and take practical action.”

Melissa and Marco Gjergja

Port Phillip Estate Dining Room

“We are proud to participate in DineSmart. I know that lots of homelessness services are struggling with more people who need their help, and cuts to their funding. I think most people want that to change and through DineSmart we can help make a difference”

Nicole Papasavas

Stalactites

“We love being part of DineSmart. It’s a great concept that assists small, grassroots charities. It’s simple to administer and all our customers are very supportive as it gives them an opportunity to contribute, that they may not of otherwise had.”

 Dure Dara

 Nudel Bar

“20 years is something definitely worth of celebrating, especially when it involves having a positive social impact and doing good”

Nick Shelton

Nick Shelton

Broadsheet

“DineSmart is a fantastic initiative that Broadsheet has been proudly supporting for over 10 years. I encourage all restaurants to jump on board, and inspire your diners to help end homelessness.”

Chef Alejandro Saravia

Alejandro Saravia

Farmer’s Daughters, UMA, 10 Acre Block

“For the past 4 years it has been a privilege to be part of the DineSmart program, helping raise much needed funds that will help the ones in need. The opportunity that DineSmart provides to all of us to help raise awareness and work with our communities to help others has proved to be more than successful by obtaining the highest percentage of engagement and donations.”

Ben Cooper

Chin Chin Melbourne, Chin Chin Sydney, Hawker’s Hall, Kong, Baby Pizza.

“We’re proud to have supported DineSmart ever since the first year we opened our doors at Chin Chin over 10 years ago. We love the event and that it really does make a difference. It’s always humbling to be in a position where you’re able to support those less fortunate than yourself, and it’s amazing to see our guests so happily supporting this initiative alongside us.”

Nathan Toleman

Nathan Toleman

Higher Ground, The Kettle Black, Top Paddock, Liminal, Hazel and Dessous

“We are long term supporters of StreetSmart, and their hospitality campaigns! DineSmart is easy to run and makes a real difference to people’s lives – and our staff and diners love to get behind it.”

Melissa and Marco Gjergja

Port Phillip Estate Dining Room

“We are proud to participate in DineSmart. I know that lots of homelessness services are struggling with more people who need their help, and cuts to their funding. I think most people want that to change and through DineSmart we can help make a difference”

Vanessa Pollock

“The positive and lasting impact DineSmart has had on so many is truly unfathomable. I’m often so heartened to hear of staff who volunteer with local support services directly following their participation in the DineSmart campaign. The awareness, empathy and understanding of the issue of homelessness that DineSmart spreads is not only far reaching, but long lasting.

It’s just such a damn good thing for teams to be involved in… In so many ways.”

Carol and Thierry

La Cache a Vin

“DineSmart is a powerful campaign that provides incredible support to our local charities. Together with our diners we have funded so many organisations and projects in our community. And it’s all just $2 at a time!”

“From day one DineSmart has been built on the generosity of restaurateurs and diners and action by hospo staff.  To end homelessness, and provide care to people in crisis, takes a whole of community approach, and DineSmart is a simple idea that empowers us all to come together and chip in to fund some of the solutions.” – 

Adam Robinson, Founder and Chief of Impact, StreetSmart Australia (Photo Arianna Leggiero, Broadsheet)

DineSmart in the news.

If you have any questions or wish to talk to us about DineSmart 2022 please contact
cynthia@streetsmartaustralia.org

Supported By

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