Austin Real Estate Blog

For individuals and families looking for an opportunity to give back to the community this Thanksgiving, there are a number of volunteer opportunities available in the Austin area. By giving some of your time and effort to help those less fortunate, you can build a family tradition of caring and social responsibility. Sharing is truly the spirit of the holiday season; here are some ways you can help.

Operation Turkey
This annual event provides a hot Thanksgiving meal to homeless individuals throughout Austin. Volunteers are needed to help sort, prepare and package food and deliver it to various sites that will be serving up these meals to the homeless on Thanksgiving Day. Sign up at volunteers@operationturkey.com or learn more at www.operationturkey.com.

Meals on Wheels
This well-known program delivers food to the elderly or housebound. This Thanksgiving, Meals on Wheels is in need of a few extra volunteers to package and deliver meals. Interested individuals can sign up or learn more at www.mealsonwheelsandmore.org/volunteer/current-needs.

Arc of the Capital Area
A non-profit organization providing assistance to developmentally challenged and disabled individuals, Arc of the Capital Area offers a variety of services to special-needs individuals and their families. On Thanksgiving, they are in need of several volunteers to pick up meals from H-E-B, package them appropriately, and deliver them to Arc clients. For more information, contact Genessee Klemm, Arc’s volunteer coordinator, at (512) 476-7044 or by email at gklemm@arcofthecapitalarea.org.

Salvation Army
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign provides Christmas baskets and toys to needy families throughout the Austin area, as well as supporting a number of other charitable activities by the organization. Bellringers are needed for two-hour shifts throughout the holiday season. Those wishing to volunteer as a bellringer should contact the Salvation Army at (512) 437-4566.

Feast of Giving
St. Louis Parish Social Ministries will host a Thanksgiving Dinner for needy individuals and families at the St. Louis King of France Catholic Church at 7601 Burnet Road. Volunteers are needed to help cut turkeys and prepare the meals as well as greeting and serving the guests as they arrive. Clean-up crews are also needed after the event’s conclusion. Since this is a family event, volunteers as young as five are welcome to help with this annual event; 420 people were served at last year’s dinner, and turnout this year is expected to be even higher. Food donations are also accepted beforehand and, for perishable items, on Thanksgiving Day. Those wishing to donate or volunteer should contact Bea Dela Rosa at (512) 454-0384 ext. 199.