With 550 restaurants involved, the StreetSmart 2022 campaign in partnership with LandAid launches today!

StreetSmart’s annual campaign, in partnership with LandAid, to raise vital funds to support homeless people in the UK takes place during November and December. The charity is urging diners to visit a supporting restaurant and donate £1 per table at the many restaurants, pubs and hotels taking part in the scheme.

 

With 550 restaurants signed up including Barrafina, Gymkhana, Trattoria Brutto and St John, as well as the eateries within Harvey Nichols and Selfridges and the D&D London and MEATliquor restaurant groups.

 

Chef Jeremy Lee from Quo Vadis said he has admired the campaign since its inception: ‘StreetSmart’s secret is that it’s dead simple. Today we can feel far too busy and serious to do anything, but with this tiny effort you can end up with a large lump sum after Christmas. It’s a small gesture for a big problem.’

 

Joining for the first time are restaurants Endo at Rotunda and Manteca as well as new openings Amethyst, Cavita and Caravel. They join the dozens of foodie pubs across London, like The Princess Royal in Notting Hill, The Wells in Hampstead, The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea, and The Cyclist in Balham. So, whatever cuisine you like, or wherever you live across the capital, you can enjoy a meal out and donate.

 

The campaign takes place against the backdrop of spiralling costs, affecting every business and every family. However, it is worth remembering that it is still those at the bottom who are hit the hardest, who face the threat of eviction and life on the streets. ‘MEATliquor have supported StreetSmart for 10 years. Our staff and customers are happy to participate each Christmas, as they know they are helping people who they may see locally struggling on the streets. Huge thanks and kudos to our customers who have now donated over the years to the cause,’ said Scott Collins, CEO MEATliquor

 

StreetSmart has raised over £11.2 million and now operates in 24 cities across the UK. Over 50 homelessness charities benefit each year, with funds supporting services like the creation of beds, housing, mental health support and training and job support.

 

One such project supported is The Soup Kitchen at the American Church in central London, who provide free meals, clothing and toiletries for over 150 homeless and vulnerable people each day. They also have an on-site mental health drop-in centre to address this ever growing need. They rely on hundreds of volunteers a year to help run the service, including the chef and StreetSmart Ambassador Monica Galetti.

 

She says, ‘Homelessness is something we see on the streets every day in London, and so when we opened our restaurant nearby we were keen to give back to the local community. If we can help a little by running StreetSmart and occasionally volunteering, then that’s the least we can do. We only receive positive feedback from our staff and guests, who are happy to give to such a worthwhile cause.’

 

Due to the pioneering way StreetSmart is funded, 100% of all of the money raised at the restaurants goes to help those in need, as the charity’s partner LandAid covers all of the costs of the campaign.

 

Monica adds ‘Anything we can do to alleviate the pain of homelessness is worthwhile. With StreetSmart it is so easy and 100% of the money goes direct to people most in need’

 

Find out more – https://streetsmart.org.uk