Are you interested in doing some volunteering this Thanksgiving season? There are lots of local charities that could use a hand, and we’ve rounded up some opportunities for family involvement this month.
— Coats for Kids
Each year, The Junior League of Austin, Jack Brown Cleaners, 98.1 KVET, and KVUE partner to bring the community together to ensure that the children of Central Texas stay warm in the winter by collecting and distributing warm coats to eligible children and teenagers in Central Texas. If you would like to donate a coat (brand new or gently used), please drop it off at The Junior League of Austin’s Community Impact Center at 5330 Bluffstone Lane from November 12 through December 4, 2024. You can also make an online donation – every $20 buys a new coat.
— Austin Empty Bowl Project
We love this annual fundraising event that raises proceeds to benefit Central Texas Food Bank Kids Cafe and Meals on Wheels Central Texas. This all-volunteer non-profit org is run by Austin potters and donates 100 percent of the profits to the two above causes. You can get involved by donating or by attending their annual event:
On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, (Nov. 24, 2024) at 11 am, head to Central Texas Food Bank where for $30, you’ll choose your favorite bowl, soup, and bread, and enjoy live music. The bowl is yours to keep, as a reminder of those whose bowls are empty.
— ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot
Before you settle in for that giant Thanksgiving feast, enjoy some exercise in downtown Austin while you show support for Caritas of Austin in the annual ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot. The event is held on Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, 9:30 am at The Long Center). Sign up for the 5-mile (timed or untimed), 1-mile walk/run, or Stepping Stone School Kids-K that begins at 8:45 am at the Long Center. Registration is open here.
— Operation Turkey
Operation Turkey aims to provide 45,000 meals to those in need on Thanksgiving Day. If you would like to be a part of their big day(s) of volunteering, click here to sign up. There are day-of volunteering options, as well as turkey prep the day before. You can also visit OperationTurkey.com/Donate to help by making an online donation.
— Central Texas Food Bank
For many of our neighbors in need, the holiday season often means a struggle to put food on the table. Help the Central Texas Food Bank ensure that our neighbors in need can gather around a full table by making a donation or setting up your own fundraising page and get friends and family involved in helping the cause. There are also opportunities to volunteer here.
— Operation Blue Santa
Austin Police’s Operation Blue Santa provides toys and meals to families in need so they can have an enjoyable holiday season. Kids 12 and up can register to volunteer with their parents at events to sort, package, and distribute the toys. You can also donate financially here, and keep on the lookout for places to drop off new toys for Operation Blue Santa.
— SAFE Alliance Holiday Wish Lists
The SAFE Alliance serves the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence. SAFE Austin serves hundreds of youth, adults, and families during the holiday season, and your help is needed to grant thousands of wishes to local families. Check out their holiday volunteering and donation opportunities here.
— A Christmas Affair
“The Junior League of Austin (JLA) returns to Palmer Events Center November 20 – 24 for A Christmas Affair 2024: Christmas In Bloom. Join in the spirit of giving with the 49th annual holiday market benefitting The Junior League of Austin’s signature programs and nonprofit community partners. With more than 200 vendors from across the country and more than 25,000 patrons in attendance each year, what began as thirty booths in the Driskill Hotel in 1976 has grown into the largest League event of its kind in the nation. As The Junior League of Austin’s largest fundraiser, A Christmas Affair funds our mission, programs, and outreach, and allows us to continue our work of empowering women and serving our community” – from the Junior League Austin website. Also, check out the 2024 Children’s Events here.
— Dancing with the Stars Austin
Dancing with the Stars Austin is the single largest fundraiser benefiting the Center for Child Protection. Through events like this, the Center can educate more community members about the prevalence of child abuse and provide even more services to child abuse victims in Travis County. Get more info on how to get involved, donate, and attend events supporting the Center for Child Protection here.
If you’re looking for ways to get the whole family involved in service, Generation Serve is a great place to start! This organization was created to make volunteering easier for families in Austin and to inspire lifelong volunteerism in children. When you visit the Generation Serve website, you’ll find an online activity calendar that offers different ways families can give back to the community. Generation Serve partners with 100 local nonprofit organizations each year. This is a great way to find a wide variety of experiences geared towards kids.
No matter how you’re giving back this month, we appreciate all you do to share with others in need. Thank you for helping make our Austin community so full of love!
