Are you interested in giving back to the community this Thanksgiving season? There are plenty of deserving local charities that could use a hand right now, and we’ve rounded up some opportunities for family involvement this month.

via The Junior League of Austin Website

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, please drop it off at any Jack Brown Cleaners location, beginning Nov. 12, 2023.  You can also make an online donation in which every $20 buys a new coat.

Austin Empty Bowl Project
We love this annual fundraising event that raises proceeds to benefit Meals on Wheels Central Texas’ Meals for Kids, and the Central Texas Food Bank to sponsor their Kids Cafe Program. Thirty restaurants and bakeries donate delicious soups and breads, while musicians donate their time and talent to entertain us. Then, on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, (Nov. 19, 2023) from 11 am – 3 pm, friends and families come together to purchase a bowl for $30, have it filled with soup, and enjoy the 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. 23, 2023, 9:30 am at The Long Center).  Sign up for the 5-mile run, 1-mile walk, or Stepping Stone School Kids-K that begins at 9:30 a.m. 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. Visit OperationTurkey.com/Donate to help by making an online donation, keeping in mind that a gift of $25 can feed 10 people.  If you would like to be a part of their big day of volunteering on the morning of Thanksgiving, click here to sign up.

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
All Chuy’s locations will have donation bins where you can drop off new, unwrapped toys for kids in need from November 6 through December 10.  You can also participate by bringing an unwrapped toy to the Trail of Light Fun Run.  Visit bluesanta.org to make a monetary donation to kids in need and for more info.

Second Annual Carter Couch Toy Drive @ Meanwhile Brewing
Meanwhile Brewing will be accepting new and unused toy donations for children around Austin from Thursday, November 16 – Sunday, November 19 in their taproom.  You can also purchase a toy on Amazon for the toy drive here.  Get more info here.

via Austin Police 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. You can donate a Thanksgiving meal kit to survivors in need here, and also check out their holiday volunteering and donation opportunities here.

A Christmas Affair
“The Junior League of Austin returns to Palmer Events Center November 15 – 19 for A Christmas Affair 2023: Cosmic Holiday. Blast off into the holiday season and join in the spirit of giving with the 48th 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 [JLA’s] mission, programs, and outreach, and allows [JLA] to continue [its] work of empowering women and serving our community” – From JLA Website

Dancing with the Stars Austin
In its 17th year, Dancing with the Stars Austin is the single largest fundraiser benefiting the Center for Child Protection. Through events like this, the Center is able to 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.


via Generation Serve Website

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!