Restaurants across London, Brighton and Bristol are taking part (Picture: Deliveroo)
Members of the LGBTQ+ community who are homeless – or who cannot afford food and shelter – can get a free meal by quoting a certain phrase, as part of a new Deliveroo initiative.
Individuals simply need to walk into a participating restaurant and say ‘I’m a friend of Dorothy’, or even just ‘Dorothy’, before ordering.
This will unlock a free main well as well as additional resources on where they can receive help.
Deliveroo has partnered with LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity Albert Kennedy Trust to launch this scheme – which follows data showing 24% of homeless people identify as LGBTQ+ and 77% believe coming out to their parents was the main factor for their homelessness.
The trial begins this Pride Month across 10 restaurant sites in London, Brighton, and Bristol.
In terms of the restaurants taking part, The Athenian, Club Mexicana, Smashing Plates, Tonkotsu, and Bleecker Burger are the first to sign up to the initiative – which is being funded by Deliveroo.
One meal per person can be redeemed per day and the scheme will initially run for up to three months, or until all meals have been redeemed.
Pride Month 2023
Pride Month is here, with members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies celebrating their identities, accomplishments, and reflecting on the struggle for equality throughout June.
This year, Metro.co.uk is exploring the theme of family, and what it means to the LGBTQ+ community.
Find our daily highlights below, and for our latest LGBTQ+coverage, visit our dedicated Pride page.
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Customers can also get involved and donate (Picture: Deliveroo)
Customers dining at these restaurants can also get involved by making donations through in-restaurant posters and window sticker QR codes.
Lea Duchemin, the co-lead of Deliveroo’s LGBTQ+ Network, said: ‘Deliveroo is a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community, all year round.
‘The move towards supporting the homeless and vulnerable people comes following the shocking numbers and terribly sad situations a number of LGBTQ+ people are finding themselves in.
‘Food is what we do best and helping feed people at their most vulnerable, in a supportive and safe space, and directing them towards vital information, could be a much needed lifeline.’
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A simple codeword will unlock a free meal.