Each year Soul Café runs a SLEEPOUT, which raises funds to provide hot meals and a gathering place for the disadvantaged in our community.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only greatly increased the need for the Soul Café’s services, but also social isolation means that the traditional SLEEPOUT gathering is not possible.

To support Soul Café during this time, Collective Heart is organising the SLEEPOUT for Soul At Home, allowing the Soul team to focus their efforts on those in need while the fundraising event continues in local backyards and lounge rooms.

CEO of Soul Café, Rick Prosser, said the team are adapting and working around the clock to provide support and hope to those in need, especially during this time.

“Soul is adapting, diversifying and working tirelessly to continue to provide help and hope amidst COVID-19,” Rick said.

“And, like other charities, we are preparing for a tsunami of need as there are people in Centrelink lines who’ve never been there before in their lives.”

Families, roommates, colleagues, neighbours, friends and classmates are being encouraged to register themselves or their team to become Soul Sleepers and raise funds for Soul through sponsorships.

Then, on Friday 29 May, people are being encouraged to grab their swags, sleeping bags, tents and create a campsite somewhere in their home – backyard, courtyard, balcony, lounge room, bathtub or cubby house.

Soul Sleepers are encouraged to give their campsite a theme or add some flair with fancy dress, the more imaginative and original the better – as long as social distancing rules are followed.

On the night and all across the city, Soul Sleepers will be connected in the cloud via a Facebook event. Activities will be run between 6-9 pm for the SOUL SLEEPERS to participate in including Tic Tok dance-offs, bands and performances, competitions for creative campsites and fancy dress, cook-outs, an auction and much more.

Collective Heart Founder, Matt Linnert, said their team were thrilled to be part of the initiative and offer their support via this new format.

“Collective Heart is delighted to be able to volunteer our services to support Soul Café to continue to offer their services while still running their annual sleep out,” Matt said.

“It’s a great way for families, sporting groups, neighbours and roommates to get together to support their community while having a fun night at home.

“Even if people can’t sleepout, they can give donations online or provide vouchers or other in kind donations that we can use as prises during the event.”

In 2019, the SLEEPOUT raised $150,000 which enabled the Soul Café to provide hundreds of free meals each week to highly disadvantaged members of our community, many of whom are homeless, have a mental illness, suffer from a substance abuse issue or live in poverty.

These meals link the vulnerable café guests to a range of services which can help them on a path towards increased safety, health and purpose.

“We are so grateful that Collective Heart came up with this cool adaptation of our annual fundraiser and are stepping in to make this happen,” Rick concluded.

IMAGE | Sia O’Connor and Molly Cook participating in the Sleepout.