The Raine & Horne Foundation, having raised over $593,000[i] for various community and environmental initiatives in the past two years, is delighted to announce the continuation of its commitment to Dignity, a leading Australian charitable organisation dedicated to profoundly impacting the lives of individuals facing homelessness.

This renewed commitment involves a contribution from the Foundation of $100,000 over the next 12 months to support Dignity's impactful '1 Million Meals' Food Relief Expansion Project.

A renewed alliance against homelessness 

Initiated in 2021 in the middle of the challenges of COVID-19, the partnership between the Raine & Horne Foundation and Dignity aimed to address the critical homelessness crisis arising from pandemic-induced lockdowns across many parts of Australia. 

“Partnering with Dignity has always been a natural collaboration for us – we made a commitment 140 years ago to give back to the communities in which we serve, and the initiatives alongside Dignity allows us to do just that,” said Mr Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine & Horne. 

Dignity, an organisation providing essential services such as supported temporary accommodation and stable housing for up to 180 individuals nightly, has been instrumental in preventing homelessness and supporting over 65,000 people since its inception.

Founder and CEO of Dignity, Ms Suzanne Hopman, expressed her gratitude for the Raine & Horne Foundation's vital support, underlining how this partnership significantly bolsters the charitable organisation’s food relief, temporary accommodation, and long-term housing programs. 

“We simply could not support and empower the number of people we do without the support of our corporate partner, Raine & Horne Foundation,” she said. 

“This partnership has helped Dignity support more people through our food relief program, supported temporary accommodation and longer-term housing programs. In addition, Raine & Horne has made a tangible impact with corporate volunteering and fundraising activities around Australia.”

In 2022, Dignity named a guest house as Raine & Horne Foundation House in recognition of Raine & Horne's steadfast support. With 11 furnished, self-contained units, the Raine & Horne Foundation House offers over 4000 nights of accommodation per year.

Supporting 1 million meals in 2024

As an exclusive Platinum partner in 2024, the Raine & Horne Foundation's increased support will contribute substantially to Dignity’s ambitious '1 Million Meals' project. 

The initiative aims to provide a million meals to individuals at risk of homelessness across Australia, working in conjunction with partners such as Youfoodz and a network of volunteers.

Underlining the pressing homelessness crisis, over 3.3 million Australians, including 761,000 children, live below the poverty line[ii], often facing the dilemma of choosing between paying rent and buying food. Dignity's food relief program, distributing over 6,000 meals per month, remains insufficient to meet this growing need.

In addition to providing meals, Dignity strategically places its food relief freezers in community centres, connecting recipients with available services to prevent homelessness.

Ms Hopman said the impact the Raine & Horne Foundation’s ongoing support will have significant impact on the lives of individuals and families at risk of homelessness. 

“The need right now is greater than ever, and I am very grateful to the Raine & Horne Foundation for their collaboration and contribution to Dignity’s ‘1 Million Meals’ project in 2024. 

“The impact of this support will be felt in the homes of individuals and families at risk of homelessness around Australia.”