GEORGE NEWS - Four Southern Cape restaurants have been ranked among the country's Top 20 StreetSmart establishments that make a difference to the lives of vulnerable street children R5 at a time.
A high five goes to Chatters Bistro in Knysna for cracking the national Top Five list, followed by the other top achievers, Belvidere Manor, also in Knysna, and The Fat Fish and Nguni Restaurant, both in Plettenberg Bay in the Top 20. The Fat Fish also has a branch in George that supports StreetSmart.
Last year, StreetSmart restaurants and their diners raised over R1,7-million nationally. The top five contributing restaurants were: GOLD Restaurant (Cape Town) - R113 224, La Mouette (Cape Town) - R84 500, Moyo @ Kirstenbosch (Cape Town) - R56 765, Stacked Diner (Cape Town) - R52 660 and Chatters Bistro (Knysna) - R46 940.
"We at Chatters are so very proud to find ourselves once again in the top five fundraisers for StreetSmart nationwide," says Clare Dixon, owner of Chatters Bistro, Knysna. "It just goes to show what a difference a R5 donation per table can make, even in a small town such as Knysna. Thanks must of course go to all our diners who have supported this initiative, especially those regulars who visit us more than once a week and insist the donation should be added to the bill each time."
In addition to the 101 restaurants throughout South Africa where patrons can make a voluntary R5 donation added to their bill, guests at an increasing number of wine tasting rooms, B&Bs, guest houses and hotels are now able to make a contribution, including in George.
All funds raised support organisations working with street children within the areas where the establishments are located.
Every cent of the donations received by StreetSmart establishments goes to organisations that support vulnerable children through education, skills training and family reunification, in order to normalise their lives and re-integrate them into society.
"Congratulations to the four Southern Cape restaurants for donating their way into the national Top 20 StreetSmart partners!" says Melanie Burke, StreetSmart chairman. "We can all do our bit. So, please join our StreetSmart partner network and give responsibly."
StreetSmart SA was set up in 2005 under the patronage of Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu.
StreetSmart SA is registered as a public benefit organisation as well as a non profit organisation. Their aim is social normalisation and they encourage the public not to give money into the hands of a child as this keeps them on the streets.
For more information or to make a donation, contact StreetSmart on 021 447 3227 or info@streetsmartsa.org.za or visit www.streetsmartsa.org.za. Follow them on @StreetSmartSA on Twitter and Facebook.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
