This year’s StreetSmart campaign, which enables the hospitality industry to raise funds for those facing homelessness, will launch on 1st November and the charity, alongside Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, is appealing for even more restaurants to get involved.
How it works
Participating restaurants add £1 to every bill they deliver over November and December, and ALL money raised by the StreetSmart campaign goes directly to local homeless organisations, thanks to the generosity of sponsors LandAid.
The funds raised by StreetSmart here in Greater Manchester will go towards critical work of organisations including Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, which aims to provide a bed and personal support for anyone who is sleeping rough or is at imminent risk of homelessness in Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, has released a video appealing to more restaurants to get involved. He comments: “We all know that the winter ahead is going to be one of the most challenging we’ve faced. Unfortunately, the people who will be hit hardest will be those who are already in the most precarious positions, and those already living at the edge could be pushed over it. That’s why the StreetSmart campaign is so important. A voluntary donation can help support life-changing initiatives here in our city region. Even in our toughest times, Greater Manchester has never walked on by. Please, if you can, help support StreetSmart this winter.”
Through this simple idea of adding a voluntary £1 to diners’ bills during the festive months, Greater Manchester restaurants will be raising funds for local charitable projects that help those living on the streets and in unsuitable accommodation. In previous years, StreetSmart has seen an incredible £34,000 raised by Manchester restaurants.
Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, along with other local charities who will benefit from the campaign, 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 during the current cost of living crisis.
StreetSmart has raised over £10 million since its foundation, and raised an incredible £696,000 for homeless people across the UK in 2021. Over 50 homelessness charities now benefit each year, with funds supporting services such as the creation of beds, housing, mental health advice & job support.
Glenn Pougnet, Director of StreetSmart said: “After another tough year for the hospitality industry, and for people all over the country, we are so grateful to the brilliant Manchester restaurants who have signed up so far. We know it’s a difficult time to run a restaurant so their support means more than ever. Unfortunately, tough times hit people who are already struggling the hardest and so the funding for charities like Bed Every Night are more vital than ever. We’d love to see even more restaurants sign up and join us in fighting homelessness this Christmas.”
The Manchester restaurants who have signed up so far StreetSmart 2022 include:
- Mana, Ancoats, Manchester City Centre
- Tampopo: Albert Square, Manchester City Centre.
- Tampopo: Corn Exchange, Manchester City Centre.
- Tampopo: Trafford Centre, Manchester City Centre.
- Banyan, Corn Exchange
- Banyan, Spinningfields
- Manahatta, Deansgate
- Bottega by San Carlo at Selfridges
- 20 Stories, Spinningfields, Manchester City Centre
- Street Urchin, Ancoats, Manchester City Centre
Tampopo has recently been recognised as one of the country’s top supporters of StreetSmart having raised over £8000 over the past two years. The Manchester-born Pan Asian restaurant has received a special national achievement award for their fundraising efforts.
The award was presented to David Fox, founder of Tampopo by Sacha Lord, Greater Manchester’s Night Time Economy Advisor, on behalf of Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity.
David Fox commented: “We’re really pleased to receive this award – we support StreetSmart each Christmas and I’m delighted to that it has allowed our team and customers to contribute to charities like the Bed Every Night campaign. It’s a cause that, sadly, needs our support more than ever. Times are tough but it’s important not to let that squash our natural instinct to help the most vulnerable. Taking part in StreetSmart is a kind, easy way to help this Christmas and it makes a real difference. I’d encourage any restaurant to sign up – it’s a great thing to be part of.”
There’s still time for MORE restaurants across the city region to get involved. All they need to do is contact siobhan@siobhanhanley.com or tom.allanson@gmmayorscharity.org.uk
