Streetsmart 2017: Christmas meals with a conscience

When you eat out over Christmas you can help the homeless.

The Streetsmart 2017 appeal is in full swing, with 500 participating restaurants adding an optional pound onto bills during November and December, which goes to charities helping the dispossessed.

London restaurants Salon, Barrafina, Ottolenghi, Champagne & Fromage, Elm Park Tavern, Llewelyn’s in Herne Hill and The Palmerston, Franklin’s in East Dulwich. MEATLIQUOR, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Joe Allen and Moro are among those taking part. Skye Gyngell’s Spring at Somerset House and Jeremy Lee’s Quo Vadis are also on the roster. The latter restaurateurs have been involved in the initiative since it started 20 years ago. In that time it has raised £8.2 million for homeless charities. The running costs are paid for by Deutsche Bank, which means all the money raised goes directly to local charities.

Want to know where it all goes? Look to the Brixton Soup Kitchen. A £5,000 donation two years ago helped pay for a van which improved its reach around the city, extending to Shepherd’s Bush and Islington. “Homelessness is a wide-ranging problem,” says Soloman Smith, who works for the charity. “It was StreetSmart’s initial donation of £5,000 that made people believe in us — after that the donations flooded in.”

From 10am in their Coldharbour Lane HQ, homeless people have access to hot drinks, chocolates and biscuits, porridge, or donated sandwiches from Pret, while main meals are usually rice, vegetables, or chicken donated by Nandos. They also receive donations from Greggs.

“Our main ethos is not about the food though,” says Smith. “In the nicest possible way, it’s about what we can do so you don’t need to come back.” To that end, they provide computers to help with job-seeking, clothes and shower tokens for the local recreation centre, as well as counselling and advice. Between

50 and 60 vulnerable people use the kitchen every day.

“We know the homelessness issue is a 24-hour one,” says Smith, “but the financial reality is a harsh one.”

There’s no such thing as a free lunch. But the one you’ve paid for can make all the difference.

For a list of participating restaurants, or if you are a restaurateur who wishes to sign up, visit streetsmart.org.uk