Taste of Summer Giving to Charity

Media release – Taste of Summer, 7 March 2025

Taste of Summer celebrates best event yet by giving back to Tasmanians in need

Tasmania’s premier food and drink event, Tasmania’s Taste of Summer is celebrating its best festival yet by presenting local Hobart charity Hobart City Mission with funds raised from the 2024-25 event.

General Manager Katharine Dean said that the Taste had a strong focus on delivering positive impact for the Tasmanian community year round.

“We know that Taste provides a huge boost to our island’s economy, supporting local producers and small businesses right across the state,” Ms Dean said

“Our annual charity partnership is another important way we give back to the community, by raising funds for Tasmanian not for profits supporting vulnerable Tasmanians,”

“This year we are thrilled to present Hobart City Mission with a cheque for $10,492. They do amazing work for Tasmanians facing food insecurity and homelessness, and we are proud to support them through funds raised by Tasmania’s Taste of Summer ticket sales.”

Hobart City Mission has thanked Taste of Summer for their generous donation, which will provide a months’ worth of the additional food now required in their Emergency Relief Program to meet the increased need in the community.

CEO of Hobart City Mission, Harvey Lennon, highlighted the urgent and growing need for emergency relief in southern Tasmania and called on other organisations to follow Taste of Summer’s lead.

“Taste of Summer’s generosity shows the incredible impact local businesses and organisations can have on their community,” Mr Lennon said.

With demand for crisis support at an all-time high, donations like this help ensure families and individuals don’t have to choose between paying rent and buying food, keeping the lights on, or accessing critical medication.

“Just one month of emergency relief can change lives—keeping families together, helping people avoid homelessness and giving hope to those who feel they have none left,” Mr Lennon said.

Hobart City Mission provides thousands of meals, crisis accommodation and financial assistance each month, but with the increasing cost of living, more people than ever are reaching out for help.

“We invite other businesses, organisations, and community groups to follow Taste of Summer’s lead and consider funding a month of emergency relief. Every contribution, big or small, makes a real, lasting difference to Tasmanians in need.”