At 300 Blankets, we often say that meaningful change happens through connection. While our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, it is the support of committed partners that enables us to grow our impact, strengthen our services and respond to community need with consistency and care.
That’s why we are incredibly proud to celebrate our third year as the chosen charity partner of the exceptional team at Pullman Melbourne City Centre.
Since our first conversations with the Pullman team in 2023, this partnership has become far more than a fundraising relationship. Together, we have worked to deepen understanding of homelessness within Melbourne’s CBD, create opportunities for staff to engage directly with community issues, and raise vital funds that help sustain and grow our programs.
For 300 Blankets, partnerships like this are essential.
Homelessness is a complex issue that cannot be addressed by any one organisation acting alone. Lasting impact requires collaboration between community organisations, businesses, volunteers and individuals who share a commitment to creating a more connected and compassionate society. The support provided by the Pullman demonstrates what is possible when organisations come together around a shared purpose.
Supporting People Through Outreach
One of the most significant impacts of the partnership has been the provision of secure, centralised storage for our Outreach program.
While it may seem like a simple contribution, having dedicated storage space at Pullman Melbourne City Centre has been transformative. Outreach volunteers no longer need to transport large quantities of blankets, clothing and essential supplies to and from the city each week. This has improved efficiency, reduced barriers for volunteer leaders and enabled our teams to focus more time and energy on supporting people.
As a direct result, we have been able to distribute material aid more consistently than ever before while also growing our leadership capacity.
Strengthening Soul Kitchen
The Pullman Melbourne City Centre team’s support has extended well beyond Outreach.
Throughout the year, PMCC staff have contributed directly to Soul Kitchen, our weekly community meal program. Their involvement has ranged from preparing, transporting and serving complete three-course dinners for more than 80 guests, through to providing salads, mains and desserts to support volunteer kitchen teams during particularly busy weeks.
Additionally, leaning on the expertise of the wonderful kitchen staff at the PMCC, we’ve received a curated range of recipes across entrées, mains and desserts specifically for Soul Kitchen volunteer use. This has significantly reduced meal planning requirements while increasing menu variety and improving our ability to cater for a broader range of dietary needs.
The result is a better experience for both volunteers and guests, with nutritious, diverse and thoughtfully planned meals being served each week.
Creating Space for Connection and Growth
Another often unseen but incredibly important contribution has been access to meeting, training and event spaces across Pullman Melbourne City Centre and Mercure Welcome Melbourne.
These spaces have enabled our volunteers and leaders to come together more regularly and in greater numbers than ever before. From leadership development sessions and volunteer training to planning meetings and collaborative events, access to professional and accessible venues has strengthened the quality and reach of our operations.
The partnership has also created opportunities for hotel staff and 300 Blankets volunteers to learn from one another, building stronger connections between the corporate and community sectors.
Building Awareness and Community Engagement
Fundraising is a critical part of sustaining our services, and the creativity and enthusiasm of the PMCC team has been nothing short of remarkable.
Through the course of the relationship, hotel staff have organised and participated in a range of incredible internal and public fundraising events, including:
- Biggest Loser and MasterChef fundraising events
- Wine Tasting event
- Trivia and Bingo nights
- Stryde4 Corporate Challenge
- 24-Hour Treadmill Challenge for National Homelessness Week
- Departing guest round-up donations program
- Bunnings Sausage Sizzle
These events have done more than raise funds. They have helped spark conversations about homelessness, engage staff in meaningful ways and build awareness of the challenges faced by many people in our community.
The Power of Partnership
Over the last 2 years, the hotel has raised $59,000 which was generously matched by the ERDI Foundation, the hotel’s owner. This resulted in a total contribution of $118,000 in direct financial donations, representing the largest single financial contribution of our organisation’s history. These funds fully supported the annual operation of both Outreach and Soul Kitchen for one year.
In FY26 this partnership has continued to grow – from storage facilities and meeting spaces to volunteer training, meal support, fundraising initiatives and community engagement, Pullman Melbourne City Centre’s contribution reaches into almost every aspect of our work. The practical support provided through this partnership strengthens our capacity, improves our operations and ultimately allows us to support more people with dignity, consistency and care.
To the Pullman Melbourne City Centre team and ERDI Foundation, thank you for believing in our mission and for continuing to stand alongside us.
Together, we are building a more connected, compassionate Melbourne – one conversation, one meal and one act of kindness at a time.
