Cafes, coffee businesses and coffee lovers are being invited to turn their daily cuppa into tangible support for young Australians doing it tough, as Youth Off The Streets launches its 2026 Cup of Kindness campaign.
Kicking off on International Coffee Day on 1 October and running throughout the month, participating cafes will donate $1 from every coffee sold to Youth Off The Streets, helping fund essential support for children and young people experiencing homelessness and complex disadvantage.
The campaign comes as demand for Youth Off The Streets’ services reaches unprecedented levels amid cost-of-living pressures, poor mental health, housing instability and rising rates of domestic and family violence. More than 43,000 young Australians experience homelessness each year, while the not-for-profit youth service expects to support more than 2,000 children and young people through its intensive programs and services this year.
Just $5, the price of a cup of coffee, can help provide a warm meal for a young person attending a Youth Off The Streets outreach program, where they can access practical support, trusted guidance and a safe place to belong.
How cafes can get involved
Cafes and businesses can register to participate on 1 October, for selected days or throughout the month, donating $1 from each coffee sold during their nominated period.
To make it easier for cafes and businesses to participate, venues can receive up to 3kg of complimentary coffee beans to support their fundraising, courtesy of Smith St Coffee Roasters.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for cafés to take part in Cup of Kindness, even if they can only participate for one day,” said Smith St Coffee Roasters Co-Founder Ross Di Biasi.
The 2026 campaign marks the first time Smith St Coffee Roasters has joined Cup of Kindness as lead partner, donating the first $1000 and helping rally cafes and coffee businesses across Australia to get involved.
“Cafes are at the heart of their local communities. They are places where people connect every day, which makes them a powerful force for good,” said Mr Di Biasi.
To find a participating cafe, make a donation or register a cafe or business, visit the Cup of Kindness campaign page at https://support.youthoffthestreets.com.au/cup-of-kindness.
