About the Café
Over 10,000 free meals are served at the Magpie Nest Café each month.
The Magpie Nest Café is operated by the Salvation Army (Project 614), with the support of the Collingwood Community Foundation, and is a first point of call for many of Melbourne’s homeless, providing free breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as support to people from all walks of life.
The Café’s staff are comprised of volunteers and community members who are passionate about addressing homelessness across Victoria. Staff and players of the Collingwood Football Club and Coles regularly volunteer their time at the Café.
Annual Café Initiatives
Magpie Nest at the 'G
For the 1 in 6 Australians experiencing food insecurity, and the thousands facing homelessness each night.
Each year, we bring the Magpie Nest Cafe to the 'G, to provide a meal for 500 of Melbourne’s most vulnerable, for an afternoon of food, fun and footy.
Through the Magpie Nest at the 'G initiative, our aim is to shine a light on the needs of Melbourne's homeless and vulnerable.
In Round 19, Collingwood and Coles united in 2025 to raise much-needed funds to ensure the ongoing operation and important work of the Magpie Nest Cafe.
Finals Footy Lunch
To launch September, we host our annual Magpie Nest Footy Finals Lunch, with the support of our community partners The Salvation Army - Project 614 and Coles Group.
The lunch offers guests from the Magpie Nest Cafe a chance to hear from Collingwood athletes and enjoy some fantastic performances from artists such as Mike Brady and Joe Camilleri, and provides another opportunity for us to help bring people together to celebrate finals footy.
Christmas Gifting
The Collingwood Football Club’s Community Foundation annual Christmas lunch is held at The Glasshouse on Christmas Day, and has been running for over 30 years.
One of the biggest events in Melbourne on Christmas Day, the purpose of the lunch is to provide 600 visitors from the Magpie Nest Café a place to belong and experience the season’s festivities of delicious food and gift-giving.
The annual Christmas Day event wouldn't be possible without the support of our community partners.
• The Big Group Catering Company who assist providing the meals, staff and venue.
• Coles who donated 600 bags worth of essential items, that Collingwood players and staff packed to gift on Christmas Day.
diD YOU KNOW?
The Magpie Nest Café sits under our 'A Nest For All' pillar.
Support the Community Foundation
All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
