How to give back this holiday season in Austin
The holiday season is a perfect time to spread joy and support those in need. From helping foster children to providing meals for the hungry, here are 16 meaningful ways you can give back to your community in Austin, Texas.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The holiday season is perfect for spreading joy and supporting those in need. From helping foster children to providing meals for the hungry, here are 16 meaningful ways you can give back to your Central Texas community.
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Central Texas Table of Grace
This nonprofit helps provide emergency shelter and care for children in foster care. You can donate online, shop from their Amazon Wishlist, become a sponsor, or volunteer for various programs like tutoring or meal prep.
Foundation Communities
Foundation Communities offers assistance to families. You can donate to provide groceries, rent support, or utility assistance, or volunteer in areas like after-school learning or financial coaching.
Community First! Village Lights & Holiday Market
Mobile Loaves & Fishes supports the homeless with permanent housing, work opportunities, and a sense of community. Volunteer or donate to help during the Village Lights event, which features 250,000 holiday lights and a market with handcrafted gifts.
Austin Habitat for Humanity
Each year, Realty Austin Compass agents volunteer to build a home for a local family. Donate to their virtual fundraiser to help purchase materials for the 13th Annual Habitat for Humanity Home Build.
The SAFE Alliance
The SAFE Alliance provides shelter, legal aid, and counseling for survivors of abuse. Support by donating holiday gifts, sponsoring families, or volunteering to organize donations and distribute holiday cheer.
Partners for Children - Holiday Wishes
This program fulfills the holiday gift wishes of children in the CPS system. Donate funds, shop from their Amazon Wishlist, or sponsor a youth’s holiday wishes with a $100 donation.
Toys for Tots
Donate new, unwrapped toys or volunteer with this annual program that brings Christmas gifts to less fortunate children. Over 97% of donations go directly to providing toys for children.
Blue Santa
Providing Gifts to Austin Children
Blue Santa ensures children in need receive gifts during the holiday season. Volunteer, host a toy drive, or donate financially to help spread holiday cheer to families in Austin.
Brown Santa
The Travis County Sheriff's Brown Santa program provides toys and food to less fortunate families. Donations are accepted through PayPal, Venmo, or Amazon Wishlist to help reach their fundraising goal of $50,000.
Red Beans Austin
This initiative provides free, home-cooked Southern meals to people in need. Volunteer as a baker or driver, or donate to sustain this meal-delivery service that brings comfort to Austin residents.
Out Youth
Out Youth offers a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Donate or volunteer to help sustain programs that support mental and emotional well-being, such as counseling, support groups, and wellness check-ins.
Meals on Wheels Central Texas
Meals on Wheels provides seniors with nutritious meals, wellness checks, and social connections. Volunteer, donate, or become a sustaining supporter to help seniors in the community.
Central Texas Food Bank
The Food Bank serves individuals and families in need with food assistance and nutrition education. Volunteer, donate, or fundraise to help ensure access to nutritious meals for Central Texans.
Caritas of Austin
Caritas offers housing, education, and meals to individuals and families in need. Volunteer, donate, or provide care kits to help those facing homelessness in Greater Austin.
Keep Austin Fed
This organization rescues surplus food and redistributes it to those in need. Volunteer, donate food, or make a financial contribution to help fight hunger and reduce food waste in the community.
UT Outpost- Food for Fines
UT’s Food for Fines program allows students to clear eligible parking citations by donating shelf-stable food to the UT Outpost food pantry. Donations help support students in need during the holiday season.
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