Held from 2 to 8 August, CafeSmart 2021 is an annual campaign hosted by Australian initiative StreetSmart that seeks to raise funds for Australians affected by homelessness.
With three weeks left until the event, cafés are encouraged to sign up to show its customers that it cares for its local community and the disadvantaged people within it. Support from cafés is crucial to providing funds for local, grassroot homeless charities with the past 18 months difficult for all in the coffee community.
“We are heartened to see the hospitality industry start to rebuild and strengthen, and we hope CafeSmart can bring some fun and community-spirit back into cafés,” says Geoff Hills, CEO, StreetSmart Australia.
Continuing for its 11th year, CafeSmart will focus again on encouraging coffee drinkers to make digital donations all week, with the main day being held on Friday 6 of August.
During CafeSmart week, cafes will put up posters and signs, encouraging customers to donate via a QR code. On 6 August, cafes will also donate $1 for every coffee sold with cafe members encouraged to wear yellow and decorate their café on this day.
Participating cafés will have their details featured on CafeSmart’s interactive map, helping coffee drinkers find them on the day. Each café will also be part of CafeSmart’s #cafesmart #helpyourhood social media campaign.
Donations help support vital local services tackling homelessness, such as women’s refuges, medical outreach teams. and youth services, and will also aid in providing meals, clothes, bedding, showers. and much more to those in need.
“It’s a great way to support the community that supports you. More than ever, customers want to know that the businesses they support are doing good for their community,” says Geoff.
“CafeSmart has a local impact that you and your staff can be proud of. It’s good for business, good for team-building, and good for your community. You will also be joining StreetSmart in achieving the United Nation’s ‘Sustainable Development Goals’.”
Grants delivered through CafeSmart help combat poverty, hunger, social disadvantage, and gender inequality, by providing funds to small local homeless charities supporting vulnerable people. Over the past 11 years this event has distributed $1.5 million to more than 1000 projects.
For the third year, Vitasoy is the Principal Sponsor of CafeSmart, and is also supported by Broadsheet, La Marzocco, and BeanScene.
To be a part of this movement and support your local community, please visit https://streetsmartaustralia.org/cafesmart/
If you have any questions, you can contact Cynthia Mac Caddon /
cynthia@streetsmartaustralia.org / 0423 814 799
