Abiding Love Food Pantry
The Food Pantry, open Mondays 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, partners with the Central Texas Food Bank and receives donations and support from faith communities, schools, businesses and individuals throughout the Austin area. The pantry service is a drive through model with no personal contact between volunteers and clients. Most of the families are working hard to meet the basic cost of living in this difficult time. The Food Pantry often helps people to stretch their supplies just enough to help them get through the month on very limited incomes.
Food or monetary donations are welcome at Abiding Love, Tuesday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Contact: Rosa Hatfield,
Angel Tree
Angel Tree is sponsored by Upbring, formerly Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest. Gifts are purchased for children in foster care, from infants to teenagers. Upbring provides a wish list of age-specific items, including clothing sizes. Items are displayed as angels on a Christmas Tree. Gifts are purchased and returned to the church, then delivered to Upbring.
Contact: Jan Haas, 512-297-3164,
Austin City Lutherans
Austin City Lutherans (ACL) is a 501.c(3) non-profit serving low-income individuals and families. The organization operates Bread For All Food Pantry and developed Mariposa Family Learning Center, a 2-Gen(eration) childcare provider. Austin City Lutherans consists of the leaders and members of the ELCA worshipping communities in and around Austin, Texas. Formed in 2011, ACL adopted the moniker “More, Better, Together” to guide its activities. https://austincitylutherans.org/
Contact: Pastor Brad Highum, 512-892-4040,
Austin Interfaith
Austin Interfaith is a non-partisan, multi-ethnic, multi-issue organization of faith communities, public schools and unions who work together to address issues that affect the well-being of Austin area families and neighborhoods. Austin Interfaith is committed to promoting justice and democratic values. They work to develop leaders and to provide opportunities for member institutions to negotiate effectively through the political process with local government and community leaders around issues of common concern. Visit austininterfaith.org to learn more.
Contact: Monte Jane Buaas, 512-444-5054,
Bread for All Food Pantry
Bread for All Food Pantry is open Mondays, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, at Faith Presbyterian Church, 1314 E. Oltorf, Austin. This food pantry is sponsored by Austin City Lutherans and partners with the Central Texas Food Bank, local Lutheran congregations, and community organizations. Bread for All Food Pantry welcomes volunteers to pick up food from Central Texas Food Bank on Monday at 1:00 pm, to set up the pantry on Monday afternoons, and to serve families at the pantry from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.
Contact: Barbara Tiedt, 512-627-1212,
Chariot
Chariot provides transportation services, visits, minor home repairs, and resource referrals to seniors (60+). It is one of the oldest, largest, most reliable providers of services of free transportation for seniors. Volunteers are needed to drive clients to appointments, visit clients, or serve on various committees. To volunteer, visit chariot.org and folow the links to “Volunteer Application" or call 512-445-5552.
CROP Hunger Walk
CROP Hunger Walk is an annual event that helps to support the overall ministry of Church World Service with hunger-fighting development efforts around the world. CROP Hunger Walks help to provide food, water, and resources that empower people to meet their own needs. 25% of the money raised in our CROP Hunger Walk is distributed to agencies in the Austin area. Get involved by supporting a walker, becoming a walker, or organizing a group to walk. This is a great event for all ages!
Contact: Monte Jane Buaas, 512-444-5054,
God's Work. Our Hands
“God's Work. Our Hands” Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. This day encourages us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans: that all of life in Jesus Christ – every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Service opportunities for all ages. Scheduled throughout the year.
Contact: Monte Jane Buaas, 512-444-5054,
Lutheran World Relief
Lutheran World Relief is an international organization that focuses on sustainable development projects and disaster relief and recovery. LWR works to improve the lives of farmers and people experiencing poverty in Africa, Asia and Latin America, both long-term and in times of emergencies. Abiding Love takes part in the LWR Quilts and Kits Project, making and sending quilts, personal care, and baby kits to a warehouse for distribution around the world.
Contact: Diane McGowan,
Oak Hill Community Alliance
The Oak Hill Community Alliance is an unofficial alliance of organizations and churches of the Southwest Austin and Oak Hill communities. They meet quarterly to share information and work together to address the needs of the area. During the winter months, when the temperature reaches 32 degrees or below, they provide a freeze shelter for the homeless.
Contact: Monte Jane Buaas,
Refugee Services of Texas
Refugee Services of Texas (RST) is a social service agency dedicated to providing services to refugees and other displaced persons fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, and/or political opinion and also to the communities that welcome them. RST offers: Resettlement Services, Legal Services, Job Readiness Training and Employment, Services for Unaccompanied Children, Survivors of Trafficking Empowerment Program, Social Adjustment Services, Medical Case Management, English Language Training and Counseling. Support RST by volunteering time, donating cash or goods or building a welcome team.Visit rstx.org to learn more or call 512-472-9472.
Contact: Monte Jane Buaas, 512-444-5054,
Summer Day Camp
Summer Day Camp is held at Abiding Love in partnership with Cross Trails Ministry, for youth in kindergarten through fifth grade. Camp is led by the Cross Trails staff and the people of Abiding Love and includes games, Bible studies, worship, songs, snacks, lunch and more. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to grow in their faith and experience camp without ever leaving Austin.
Travis County Community Center in Oak Hill
This affiliate of Travis County Health and Human Services provides assistance with utilities, food, housing and basic necessities to Travis County citizens. They are located at 8656 A State Highway 71 West, Suite 100, Oak Hill. For a complete list of services, visit traviscountytx.gov or contact the center: 512-854-2130.
Water to Thrive
Water to Thrive is a faith based non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of bringing the blessing of clean, safe water to those who need it in rural Africa. W2T works with donors in the United States and implementing partners in Africa. They envision a world where we share our gifts and blessings to provide health, hope, and water to all. Water to Thrive promises to designate 100% of donations to water contributions straight to water projects. To stay true to this promise W2T raises operational expenses separately. To learn more about how to support Water to Thrive, visit https://www.watertothrive.org/.