The Good Guide: Giving Back this Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer this holiday season. As many of us can’t wait to stuff our faces with turkey and stuffing, thousands in Austin will struggle to just put food on the table. Good Party rounded up 6 different ways to give back this Thanksgiving:
The Austin Empty Bowl Project is an effort by Austin area potters to fight hunger. On November 18, you’re invited to select your favorite locally crafted ceramic bowl, have it filled with gourmet soup and bread, and listen to live music while enjoying your lunch. Your $25 donation goes to Kids Cafe, a program of the Central Texas Food Bank, and Meals for Kids, a program of Meals on Wheels Central Texas. For more information on attending or volunteering at the event, click here.
The annual Feast of Sharing on November 20 takes place at the Palmer Events Center and is the largest community Thanksgiving meal in Austin. H-E-B provides 14,000 meals to hungry Austinites with the help of 1,400 volunteers who plate and serve food, do crafts with children, and many other tasks. For information on how to volunteer, head to this link.
Operation Turkey aims to bring communities together, across the nation, to feed and clothe the homeless and less fortunate on Thanksgiving Day. Sign up to volunteer the day before Thanksgiving at the Turkey Tailgate or the day of Thanksgiving by visiting their website. This year’s goal is to serve 75,000 meals, and if you wish to assist you can also make a donation online.
Central Texas Food Bank volunteer shifts:
The largest hunger relief organization could use your help to provide meals to families during this food-centered holiday. In the days before Thanksgiving, volunteer to sort food donations at the Food Bank to prepare for distribution through its partner agencies across Central Texas. Can’t find the time but want to give? Every $10 donated will provide 80 meals for those in need. Link to volunteer and donate.
With almost 20,000 people participating on Thanksgiving Day, the Thundercloud five-mile race is one of the largest Turkey Trots in the country. ThunderCloud Subs donates all of the proceeds from the Turkey Trot directly to Caritas of Austin, a local nonprofit that’s dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness for people in Greater Austin. ThunderCloud has raised more than $2.5 million for Caritas since the event began in 1991. To register to run or volunteer at the event, click on this link.
Gobble Gobble Give is a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding the homeless on Thanksgiving. A community of volunteers delivers food, clothing and toiletries to the homeless in eleven cities (including Austin) across the country on Thanksgiving morning. All meals are made possible by donations and volunteers before and on the day of Thanksgiving. For a list of items you can donate as well as the link to contribute financially, click here.
Written By: Madison Lammert