Help provide vital educational support to 11,705 Australian children this Christmas.

Our Programs
- Literacy programs
  Providing resources and support to help children living with disadvantage achieve the required reading standard.
- Technology programs
  Providing children and young people living with disadvantage with the critical skills, access, and equipment they need.
- Numeracy programs
  We support early years educators and community professionals in building foundational math skills in children under their care.
- Learning for Life
  Providing holistic, long-term support for disadvantaged young Australians throughout their education.
- Mentoring programs
  Mentoring programs for students living with disadvantage that provide the encouragement they need to build aspirations for their future.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs
  Our work engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in learning through education, life skills and role models, promoting culturally responsive practice.
Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs
Get Involved
- Ways to fundraise
  Learn about fundraising and give back to the community with The Smith Family.
- Volunteer with us
  Share your skills to help Australian children in need transform their lives through education.
- Partnerships
  Learn how your organisation can partner with The Smith Family and help build a better future for Australian children in need.
- Careers
  We aim to provide a working environment where staff and volunteers have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.
- Events
  Participate in events and activities that support young Australians experiencing disadvantage.
- VIEW clubs of Australia
  Learn about VIEW, a leading women’s volunteer organisation and support network with over 16,000 members, across Australia.
Ways to Give
- Sponsor a child
  Through child sponsorship, you will be matched to an Australian child in need, helping to support the cost of their school essentials.
- A gift in your will
  Ensure that future generations of Australian children have the support they need to make the most of their education.
- Monthly donation
  Become a monthly donor and provide continual support throughout all stages of a child’s education.
- Philanthropic giving
  Through your philanthropy, you can ensure that young Australians impacted by poverty get the education that all children deserve.
- Single donation
  Your donation will help young Australians in need by providing access to our Learning for Life education support programs.
- Workplace giving
  Making small, regular donations to The Smith Family through Workplace Giving is an easy way to help change the lives of young Australians living in poverty.
Login
Child Sponsorship
Donate now

Donate now

Cost-of-living pressures taking a heavy toll on children's education

Media releases

01 August 2022

The Big Giveback campaign launches nationally today to raise much-needed funds for young Australians in need through The Smith Family’s education support programs

The cost-of-living crisis is having a major impact on families already experiencing disadvantage and causing worrying disruptions to children’s education, The Smith Family said today.

The national children’s education charity said that as living expenses soar this year, schools and families are reporting that:

Children are missing out on basic school items, such as uniforms, books and devices needed for learning
Children are coming to school without lunch or not attending because they can’t afford lunch
High petrol prices are preventing families from getting their children to school
More students are leaving school to work so they can help support their families
There is an increase in families living in unstable or temporary accommodation (eg camping in friends’ yards, staying in caravans or motels), which can significantly impact children’s ability to learn
Families who can’t afford rental prices are being left with no choice but to move homes and schools, causing disruption and potentially impacting on children’s ability to learn and stay engaged in their schooling.

In recognition of these challenges, The Big Giveback campaign has launched across Australia today, aiming to raise more than $500,000 to support young Australians in need.

During the month of August, at participating stores, 10 cents from the sale of non-alcoholic drinks made by Asahi Lifestyle Beverages (formerly Schweppes Australia) will be donated to The Smith Family.

More than 10,000 convenience stores, service stations and major chains across Australia are participating, including Ampol/Caltex sites, Lord of the Fries and Wendy’s stores, to raise funds.

The Smith Family’s CEO Doug Taylor said: “The Big Giveback is launching at the right time to support young Australians in need. What we’re hearing from the schools and families we work with is that families are more stretched than ever before. Families are having to make impossible decisions as to where they spend their dollars each week.

“When families are facing challenges such as lack of affordable housing and rising food bills, it makes it much harder to support children’s education and increases the risk of learning difficulties or disengagement from school altogether. At a time when children are still dealing with the impacts of Covid and catching up on missed learning, the ripple effect of these added financial pressures at home could set them back even further.”

Funds raised from The Big Giveback will be critical in helping The Smith Family almost double the reach of its Learning for Life program over the next five years – from 58,000 students to 100,000 students nationally.

The evidence-based program is proven to help children experiencing disadvantage overcome the educational challenges they face, and gain the self-belief and skills they need to realise their true potential.

Participating students are not only more likely to attend school and do well in their studies, but four in five go on to further education, training or work within a year of leaving the program.

“We know this support can make all the difference in a young person’s life, but we are reliant on the Australian community to help us achieve this,” Mr Taylor said. “We’ve set the bar high because the need is great.”

Asahi Lifestyles Beverages CEO Nigel Parsons said: "It is clear the pandemic’s impact on vulnerable children will be long-lasting. The Big Giveback will see everyday Australians help these young people through the simple act of buying a drink. The Smith Family is our flagship charity partner and we are very pleased to be able to help support them and the incredible work they do via this campaign.”

Australians can get behind The Big Giveback at participating stores or by making a donation online at thebiggiveback.com.au

All funds received by The Smith Family from this campaign will go to its Learning for Life program, helping young Australians in three distinct ways:

Providing financial support for school essentials, like uniforms and books
Providing access to additional learning programs before and after school – tailored to each child’s individual needs
Providing dedicated personal support from a team member at The Smith Family to help children stay motivated at school, complete their education and go on to further training or work.

Mr Taylor said: “The Smith Family appreciates our partner Asahi Lifestyle Beverages and the generous support of the community in helping to raise much-needed funds for our work.

“Together, through the success of campaigns like The Big Giveback, we can reach even more young Australians in need.”

EDITOR’S NOTES

The Smith Family is a children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. It works with more than 700 Australian schools to support 58,000 students experiencing disadvantage through its Learning for Life education support program. For more, visit thesmithfamily.com.au

The Big Giveback is an Asahi Lifestyle Beverages initiative. Participating brands include Schweppes, Cool Ridge water, Solo, Pepsi Max, Gatorade and Lipton Iced Tea. For more information on participating products and retailers, visit thebiggiveback.com.au

The Smith Family CEO Doug Taylor is available for interview, along with alumni students from The Smith Family’s Learning for Life education support program.

Media enquiries:

Michael Tarquinio, Acting National Media Manager, The Smith Family | 0481 903 439 | michael.tarquinio@thesmithfamily.com.au
Naomi Kaplan, Media Advisor | 0411 758 596 | naomi.kaplan@thesmithfamily.com.au

Simon Pristel, Headline PR | 0412 393 433 | simon@headlinepr.com.au

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au