A unique community café is officially open for business in Footscray, with a little help from Bulldogs stars Tom Liberatore and Cody Weightman.

The Salvation Army, working together with the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, has launched the Lighthouse Café in the heart of the west, designed to help support the local community by providing a hot meal and safe place to those who need it. 

The café will provide a place where anyone doing it tough can feel safe, valued and supported, and connect with local services when needed.

Ambassador Tom Liberatore will donate 200 gourmet dim sims each week, while Cody Weightman has created an exclusive multimedia artwork for the venue.

“I think it’s important to use our position to support people in need,” Liberatore told 7 News last week.

“We’re quite lucky – it’s important to be grateful for what we’ve got but also be able to be use that for others in need.”

Weightman has brought his trademark artistic flair to the project, designing a mural that comes to life through digital animation.

“The projection will actually make the plants grow, which is sort of symbolic of this room where our local people can come and grow, and get back on their feet if they need a bit of help,” Weightman added.

Western Bulldogs Community Foundation GM Hannah Singleton said the initiative was about creating a safe space for those who need it most.

“We’re really proud to be partnering with the Salvation Army to create a welcoming and inclusive space where people from our community can access a warm meal, but just as importantly connect with the support they might need,” Singleton said.

The Lighthouse Café formally opened today, bringing together community members, local council members, and Bulldogs representatives to mark the occasion.