Winter can be harsh, particularly for those living on the streets. The comfort of a warm coat or jacket can make a huge difference for not only the physical state, but the mental state of a person experiencing homelessness. This year, we are asking for resources like blankets and beanies to be donated to Soul Cafe, which will be distributed, and of course if you've got a few spare bucks we would appreciate that too! You can help make a significant difference this Winter by donating funds to help Soul Cafe Newcastle assist the vulnerable and those sleeping rough on the streets. 

Soul Cafe was established in August 2003 to serve hot meals, free of charge, to the highly disadvantaged of the Newcastle region. Today Soul Cafe provides hundreds of free sit down and take away meals each week, providing a safe haven of hope and help.

Many of Soul Cafe’s guests (how we refer to individuals who walk through the cafe doors in need of assistance) are dealing with issues of homelessness, drug or alcohol addiction, poverty, separation, mental health or illness concerns and accommodation needs.

As such, the meals provided are an avenue to link cafe guests with other necessary services including drug, group-based alcohol and substance abuse programs, accommodation links, Centrelink referral, mental health counselling, refuge referral, haircuts, legal services and access to free doctors, podiatry and audiology clinics.

The ultimate mission of Soul Cafe is to see vulnerable cafe guests reconnected with the community and placed on a path towards increased safety, health and purpose. Our desire is to serve “more than a meal”; but to lift a group of people who are less fortunate than us to a greater level of lifestyle within our community through a comprehensive approach that assists them to work through their individual issues and to re-engage into society.

We are non-government funded and rely primarily on financial sponsorship from corporations, individuals and, to a lesser extent, on our own fundraising endeavours. We are a local community organisation responding to local community needs, supported by local community, corporate and private members.