More than 500 restaurants sign up to StreetSmart as it launches 2022 campaign

The campaign, which takes place during November and December, gives diners the option to add a voluntary £1 per table donation to their bills.

Restaurants helped raise nearly £700,000 between them for the charity last year. All money raised through the scheme contributes to 'achieving impactful social change by supporting people rough sleeping and those in unsuitable accommodation'.

This year north of 540 operators have signed up with popular London restaurants Endo at Rotunda and Manteca taking part for the first time alongside Amethyst, Cavita and Caravel.

They join the likes of Barrafina, Gymkhana, Trattoria Brutto and St John in the capital, as well as nationwide groups D&D London and MEATliquor.

“MEATliquor have supported StreetSmart for 10 years,” says Scott Collins, MEATliquor CEO.

“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.”

StreetSmart has raised more than £11m since its foundation in 1998, and 100% of what is raised goes to help those in need as the campaign costs are covered by StreetSmart’s partner LandAid, a property industry charity working to end youth homelessness in the UK.

More than 50 UK homelessness charities now benefit each year, with funds supporting services in housing, mental health advice, training and job support as well as organisations providing a safe place to sleep for the night.

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.

The project relies on hundreds of volunteers a year to help run the service, including the chef and StreetSmart ambassador Monica Galetti.

“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,” she says.

“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.”