Before you start planning for your Christmas parties and holiday get-togethers, consider doing things a little differently this year and book a spot at a DineSmart participating restaurant. An initiative inaugurated by StreetSmart, a grassroots organisation that aims to support and empower people experiencing homelessness, DineSmart has raised $2 million to date.

This year marks the 10th annual DineSmart campaign and 47 eateries in Sydney and 59 in Melbourne (out of a total of 150 nationwide) will take part from November 12 until Christmas Eve. Participating restaurants and cafes will ask diners to chip in by adding $2 or more to their table bill, which will then be passed on to the DineSmart fund, which in-turn distributes the donations to grassroots agencies that aid the homeless at the frontline.

“They use the money efficiently and it really makes a difference, from new sheets for beds at a refuge, regular meals at shelters, to playground equipment for children at a women’s refuge,” explains StreetSmart founder and CEO Adam Robinson.

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Your good deeds won’t go totally unrewarded. DineSmart has also launched a photo competition and is inviting diners at their participating restaurants to whip out their camera phones, snap a picture and upload their best shot to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtags #shootyourdinesmarts #dinesmart (filters optional).

A judging panel comprising Robinson, Chin Chin hostess Jess Ho and blogger Ed Charles will pick the best picture and you could be in the running to win some great prizes. The competition runs from November 12 to December 9.

You can find the full list of participating restaurants and cafes on the StreetSmart website.

DineSmart runs from November 12 until Christmas Eve at participating restaurants and cafes.

streetsmartaustralia.org