The countdown to CaféSmart 2016 is well and truly on, with just three weeks to go until Australia’s coffee community unites to raise awareness and funds to help combat homeless.
On 5 August, CaféSmart participating cafés will donate $1 from every coffee sold to support local homeless projects in their local suburbs. Coffee roasters are supporting the cause through the donation of beans to wholesale customers, while anyone can contribute by making an online donation during July and August.
StreetSmart CEO and CafeSmart Organiser Adam Robinson says cafés are signing up in record numbers to be part of this years CaféSmart event. To date, 281 cafés and 34 coffee roasters have registered for the event, far more than this time last year, and there’s still three weeks to go.
“We’re on track for a record year. Fingers crossed,” Adam says.
The total funds raised for CaféSmart 2015 was $135,612. This year the campaign is hoping to achieve a target of $200,000 to raise funds for local homeless services.
For those who haven’t signed up yet, there’s still time to sign up online and receive a Do Gooder Cafe Park or find ways to get involved. Visit streetsmartaustralia.org/cafesmart/
The more cafés, coffee roasters and customers support this cause, the greater a difference can be made to vulnerable communities throughout the country.
This year CaféSmart will be running a photo competiton. Last year hundreds of people helped raise awareness for CaféSmart by posting photos to social media with the hashtag #CafeSmart. Great prizes are up for grabs, including a one year subscription to BeanScene magazine, so on the day, get snappy and use the CaféSmart logo as inspiration for some photography masterpieces.
On 5 August, Adam says regardless of the level of participation or size of the donation, big or small, all efforts will go a long way in helping to find a solution to end homelessness.
“StreetSmart is all about creating opportunities for people to chip in and help out,” Adam says. “The biggest contributor to homelessness is domestic violence. Much of the funding we raise goes towards sheltering and supporting women and children.”
Help make homelessness a priority. Join CaféSmart today.
For more information on becoming a café or roaster partner visit www.streetsmartaustralia.org or call Adam on 0488 336419