A Hobart restaurant’s 15-year fundraising effort, which has raised more than $75,000 for young Tasmanians experiencing homelessness, is set to expand statewide.
Da Angelo’s in Battery Point has teamed up with Homebase and Hospitality Tasmania to roll out its ‘Dollars for Change’ envelope program to hospitality venues across Tasmania.
The initiative places envelopes on bill trays, inviting diners to drop in spare change or make larger donations to support vulnerable young people.
“There’s no pressure. You just come in. And if you want to be part of it, it’s there for you to contribute if you need to,” Angelo Fraraccio, co-owner of Da Angelo’s, said.
The program began in 2011 when Teresa, then chief executive of what was Colony 47, approached the restaurant with the idea.
Fraraccio said his business partner Mark was immediately on board.
“We raised over $75,000. That’s because of our lovely customers that participate and believe in what we believe in,” he said.
Homebase chief executive Dianne Underwood said the funds go directly towards helping young Tasmanians struggling with homelessness, mental health challenges and housing affordability.
“It could be in programs at schools … we also work with a lot of young people when they come to us unaccompanied and homeless and support them into safe accommodation,” she said.
“But it’s also, with young people these days, with the cost of housing where they can’t afford rentals and we actually subsidise their rent to give them that opportunity to go out and be independent in the real world.”
Underwood said demand for support had grown sharply in recent years as housing costs and mental health pressures continued to rise.
18-year-old Bonnie Dickerson receives weekly assistance through Homebase’s Jumpstart program while working casual shifts.
“Working in hospitality as a casual, you don’t always get shifts. You don’t always get constant work,” Dickerson said.
“Just to get that little bit extra where I don’t have to stress if I don’t get all my shifts for the week is very helpful.”
Hospitality Tasmania chief executive Steve Old said the organisation would promote the program across the state and encourage venues to get involved alongside their existing charity efforts.
“If everyone just gives a small amount, whether it’s $2, $5, it all adds up,” Old said.
