CafeSmart helps local homeless programs on August 4

So you switched to a Keep Cup after watching ABC's War on Waste and now your buzz is fading. Up the ante. CafeSmart, the initiative that sees $1 from your morning coffee fund programs helping Australia's homeless is back on August 4. And this year, it's more grass roots than ever.

All funds raised at participating cafes will be directed back to projects within that specific neighbourhood. So if you're in Fitzroy, the money raised at the likes of Stagger Lees and Industry Beans will go towards the Social Studio, which creates employment opportunities for young refugees, St Mary's House of Welcome and HoMie, a program that creates pathways out of homelessness. In the city, funds will go to the Big Issue and Traveller's Aid, which connects the homeless to secure accommodation.

It's one of the easiest direct action campaigns to get involved with. Over 500 cafes are signed up across Australia, pledging $1 a cup next Friday to programs facing ever-shrinking funding. Chief executive Adam Robinson is hoping to smash the $160,523 collected last year.

For a list of your local cafes or to make online donations go to streetsmartaustralia.org/cafesmart. Also look for the yellow stickers on August 4 and follow the hashtag #helpyourhood.