NEWS
SMARTMEALS PROVIDES THOUSANDS OF MEALS TO THE HOMELESS WHILE SAVING JOBS CafeSmart organiser Streetsmart Australia has provided more than 5470 meals to vulnerable people during the coronavirus pandemic through its SmartMeals program. StreetSmart Australia says charity meals programs are shut across the country. With gatherings restricted and older volunteers protecting their health, food security for vulnerable Australians is an emerging challenge. At the same time, restaurants and cafés are closing or reducing hours. This is making people with limited
Ladro in Fitzroy is supplying food to St Mary’s House of Welcome.
resources vulnerable to poverty, hunger, and homelessness. “These are rapidly changing times and there is great uncertainty for community services, and even more for the people we support,” says Patrick Lawrence of the First Step Program in St Kilda, Victoria. “It’s been great to be able to offer our clients a nourishing sandwich. It’s been greatly appreciated by our vulnerable clients and has doubtless had a positive impact on their mental and physical health.” The launch of SmartMeals was fast tracked on 30 March. StreetSmart is raising funds for local homeless services who then pay cafés and restaurants to create the meals they need. “SmartMeals enables people to receive a free meal and that is critical at this time. Linking a café with capacity with Uniting Prahran through Streetsmart is a win-win-win for all involved – but more so for our customers,” says Mike Scott of Uniting Prahran in Victoria. For 17 years, StreetSmart says its community impact has been built on the generosity of the people in hospitality. Together, DineSmart and CafeSmart were supported by more than 3000 hospitality businesses. “Jobs have definitely been secured
SmartMeals is connecting cafés and restaurants with overstretched community groups.
with this program, across the team from prep, to making each morning and then the delivery team. It’s given us the confidence to have an extra person there all week,” says Jackie Middleton of Earl Canteen. SmartMeals is part of StreetSmart Australia’s COVID-19 Emergency Reponse Fund, which provides grants to small grassroots organisations. For more information, visit www.streetsmartaustralia.org
LA MARZOCCO NAMED A GREAT PLACE TO WORK Great Place to Work recognises great company cultures across the globe.
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La Marzocco in Scarperia, Florence has once again been named a “Great Place to Work” in Italy, achieving the 19th position on Great Place to Work’s 2020 list. Great Place to Work is an international brand dedicated to the examination of workplace culture and management support in creating an environment where employees define their workplace as empowering and remarkable. On 23 April, the organisation hosted a virtual event ceremony on Facebook to announce Italy’s top 60 companies. La Marzocco says the recognition by Great Place To Work acknowledges it as an excellent work environment that creates a positive impact on the residing territory and in the industry. Today, the Florentine manufacturer “continues to cultivate and sustain a workplace culture where people feel safe, encouraged, and equipped to explore and develop their talent, grow in their careers and personal lives”. La Marzocco has been included on the list for several years in a row.
