With the spiralling cost of living, people in need are turning to local businesses for a helping hand. Grill’d and St Vincent De Paul Society (Vinnies) address the demand via their City Support Dinners initiative.

On the first Tuesday of every month, Grill’d closes six Grill’d CBD restaurants from 5 pm to provide a meal to those doing it tough in CBD areas.

Key locations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and a newly added Canberra restaurant.

The City Support Dinners began at Grill’d Southern Cross in Melbourne in March 2022, before expanding nationally and has just reached a major milestone of providing 10,000+ meals across multiple states.

The monthly events create a safe space for people experiencing disadvantages to eat in a public place, enjoy a meal and other people’s company – in dignity.

Grill’d Relish Members (Grill’d’s loyalty program) have also proactively donated 142,033 meals to someone in need via the ‘8 and Donate’ initiative to St Vincent De Paul Society’s food services nationally.

“One of the most simple and powerful things we see, across multiple support services here at Vinnies, is the transformative power of human contact,” said Melissa Walton, Victoria’s Head of Vinnies Specials Works.

Walton shared that it was heartening to see businesses like Grill’d taking the lead to support people in need.

‘The Grill’d team has made a tangible commitment to not only give food – to people whose meals can be few and far between – but to open its restaurant doors to allow them to dine in comfort and dignity. This week we are proud to celebrate a 10,000+ meal milestone, but the true human impact of this initiative is immense and immeasurable.”

Grill’d CEO, Adam Stapleton, calls on businesses to do what they can to support vulnerable community members.

“We proudly open our doors, with the hope of making a difference, but it’s only scratching the surface. We know the current economic challenges, but we’re urging all businesses, big or small, to connect with Vinnies and contribute in any way possible,” said Stapleton.