THE national StreetSmart campaign launches on Tuesday November 1 with Manchester’s restaurants once again pledging their generous commitment to helping the homeless. And it’s great to see high profile newcomers such as El Gato Negro and Refuge by Volta, Menagerie and Grafene all supporting the StreetSmart cause.
The campaign works by participating restaurants adding £1 to all customers’ bills throughout November and December. This is a voluntary contribution and the amount is the same no matter how big the party. The money raised is collected in January and is donated to Greater Manchester’s homeless charities.
This small gift adds up to a serious impact on the lives of the local homeless population –the 2015 campaign raised over £15,000 for Greater Manchester charities. You only have to see the number of folk sleeping rough as the winter months to appreciate the urgency.
Customers who want to give something extra when they dine this Christmas can do so by visiting the following Greater Manchester restaurants:
Salvi’s Cucina, Manchester, Salvi’s Corn Exchange, Manchester Damson, Heaton Moor Eagle and Child, Ramsbottom The River Restaurant, Lowry Hotel Restaurant, Salford Second Floor Restaurant, Harvey Nichols, City Centre Tariff and Dale, Northern Quarter Turtle Bay Oxford Street. The Parlour, Chorlton Turtle Bay Northern Quarter The Refuge, Manchester Grafene, Manchester
The StreetSmart campaign is unique in that 100 per cent of the monies collected go direct to local homeless organisations, thanks to the generosity of sponsors Deutsche Bank.
Last year projects and organisations that benefited included The Booth Centre, Barnubus and The Wellspring. These organisations are focused on helping individuals break the cycle, regain their dignity and rebuild their lives via positive action, as well as providing crisis and emergency shelter and food.
Amy Hinks from Booth Centre Manchester says: “We're delighted to be one of the beneficiary charities supported by StreetSmart. The vital funds raised help us to provide our catering training project which supports people with experience of homelessness to undertake work placements and training in our centre's kitchen.
“The project also helps to provide a nutritious breakfast and lunch for around 100 people each day who visit the Booth Centre for support.”
Established in1998, and since then StreetSmart has raised over £7.9 million for the homeless and saved many lives. Our pictures shows a selection of participating restaurateurs inside The Refuge at Manchester’s Palace Hotel (shortly to be renamed The Principal).