Last week, during Homelessness Week, Incy Wincy Cafe in Emerald joined over 820 cafes nationwide in a united act of local generosity by donating $1 from every large and jumbo coffee sold as part of the annual CafeSmart 2025 campaign.
The grassroots initiative, run by StreetSmart Australia, encourages cafés across the country to turn daily coffee habits into meaningful support for people experiencing homelessness – every dollar that’s raised stays local to help fund vital services in the community where it was donated.
The cafe’s assistant manager Luke Brownbill said the cafe chose to participate again this year because the impact is felt close to home.
“We’ve chosen to partner with StreetSmart for CafeSmart again because it’s a cause that makes a real difference locally,” Mr Brownbill said.
“CafeSmart ensures funds raised go directly to grassroots organisations and therefore directly to the community, so our efforts directly support people who are in need. It’s also a simple but impactful way for us to get involved and invite our customers to be part of something bigger and make a positive difference.”
The campaign coincided with Homelessness Week, which ran under the theme “Taking Action Now”.
For Incy Wincy Cafe, it meant sparking conversations and action among its regulars.
“We hope CafeSmart will not only provide much-needed financial support to local homelessness services but also raise awareness about the issue in our area by passing on information through our customers,” Mr Brownbill said.
“Even small donations add up to real, tangible change for people doing it tough.”
Funds from the campaign support practical services such as emergency accommodation, food relief, housing assistance and outreach programs, delivered by local charities who understand their community’s specific needs.
“Cafes are community hubs – we see and connect with people from all walks of life every day,” Mr Brownbill said.
“Taking part in CafeSmart is a way for us to use that connection to community for good, spark important conversations, and directly contribute to improving the lives of our neighbours in need.”
During the campaign week, customers could scan QR codes in-store to make direct donations, with last Friday, 8 August being the official CafeSmart Day, when the cafe contributed $1 from each large and jumbo coffee sold.
“For those who still want to support the cause, donations can still be made online through the CafeSmart website,” Mr Brownbill said.
