More than a meal: Grill'd free dinners help people in need
On the first Tuesday of every month, up to 500 people doing it tough travel from Perth's outer suburbs to enjoy a free burger at Grill'd's William Street restaurant in the CBD.
Known as City Support Dinners, the initiative aims to provide a safe space for people experiencing hardship to enjoy a free meal without the fear of being judged.
This is why doors are closed to the usual crowd of paying diners, with the restaurant instead welcoming people experiencing homelessness, rough sleepers and individuals and families who are struggling to put food on the table.
Vinnies WA has supported Grill'd's national City Support Dinners initiative - which started out in Melbourne in 2022 - since its inception in Perth.
Each month, frontline staff from Vinnies Homelessness Services, including Tom Fisher House and Passages Youth Engagement Hubs, volunteer their time, providing additional support and information to dinners, as well as the 30 or so Grill'd restaurant volunteers.
Often greeting people in line each month is Ben Johnston, the Coordinator at Vinnies respite homelessness accommodation service, Tom Fisher House.
Ben regularly sees people who have stayed at Tom Fisher House, and takes it upon himself to check in and see how they're going.
As someone who sees firsthand the complex challenges and trauma experienced by clients who stay at Tom Fisher House, Ben is grateful to be involved in the Grill'd initiative.
"Grill’d consistently goes above and beyond to ensure every person attending the City Support Night is welcomed with warmth, kindness, and genuine respect. Their staff create an inclusive atmosphere where people feel valued and treated with dignity," he said.
"They provide an opportunity for people to build meaningful connections, engage with support services, and experience a sense of belonging within the community.
"It is incredibly rewarding to see individuals leave feeling happier, warmer, and more connected after spending time in such a positive and supportive environment."
Among the regular diners who show up each month is Donna, who travels by train from Armadale to enjoy a Grill'd burger.
Having previously experienced homelessness, Donna has since secured community housing but still enjoys coming along to the City Support Dinners.
Another regular is Kerry, who also has lived experience with homelessness and now volunteers for the Perth Homeless Support Group and at Perth Children's Hospital.
"I love coming here, I've been coming since it started," Kerry said.
Vinnies is proud to partner with the Salvation Army and Grill'd to make this free monthly meal a reality for hundreds of people doing it tough each month.
Read more about Grill'd's City Support Dinner initiative here.
