Happy Holidays, TEDx-ers! 

We hope you’re enjoying celebrating the holidays and spending time with family and friends. While you’re home during this season of giving, consider volunteering and/or donating to give back to your community and those in need. 

Below, check out these great volunteer opportunities around Texas!

If you’re around Austin… 

Meals on Wheels Central Texas delivers prepared meals for seniors and adults living with disabilities in the Greater Austin area. While they are not taking regular volunteers for the rest of the month, Meals on Wheels is resuming at the beginning of January. You can start your new year right by volunteering as a weekly route driver, substitute driver, meal manager, or a Meal on Two Wheels driver.

Caritas of Austin’s goal is to “prevent and end homelessness for people in Greater Austin.” Possible volunteers can expect to serve lunch, support staff, or work directly with people to set and achieve goals. Caritas of Austin accepts volunteers on an as-needed basis so sign up for an opportunity to use your skills to serve your community

With more than 18,000 animals taken in every year, the Austin Animal Center welcomes volunteers year-round. Whether volunteering as a group or an individual, they always have a place for volunteers who will help keep the animals healthy, match them with new families, and even foster animals if you’re up for it!

If you’re near Dallas or Fort Worth… 

The Stewpot provides assistance and enrichment programs to those experiencing homelessness and stabilization programs to at-risk children and families. In addition to donating, you can also volunteer as a tutor, sponsor a meal, create “manna bags” with essential food items, or serve meals at their location in downtown Dallas

Dallas’ Habitat for Humanity welcomes volunteers of all experience levels. Volunteers can work in construction where they will build and repair homes, or they can work in retail at ReStore, a home improvement and decor store that funds Habitat for Humanity. With these opportunities and special events like neighborhood clean-ups, there’s a job for any eager volunteer!

The North Texas Food Bank offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. The NTFB offers distribution jobs with senior food box administrations, a disaster relief mobile pantry, and distribution centers. Volunteers can also work in their learning gardens or teach nutrition classes!

If you’re around Houston… 

The Holiday Project provides handmade holiday cards for nursing homes in Houston, and volunteers of all ages are welcome! Especially with COVID-19 restrictions, nursing home residents need more holiday joy than ever before. Volunteers also have the opportunity to donate fleece lap blankets and shawls for residents.

Buffalo Bayou Community Volunteers meet on the third Saturday of each month to care for Buffalo Bayou’s parks and trails. Volunteers can expect gardening work like weeding, removing invasive plants, planting native vegetation, and more. Consider signing up as an individual or group to restore and maintain Buffalo Bayou’s beauty!

Providing services for homeless and food-scarce people of Houston, Star of Hope welcomes volunteers every day of the year. While they already have enough volunteers for their Christmas meals, they need volunteers to help set up, serve, and clean up other days of the year. Besides serving food, volunteers can also help out at their donation and distribution center or host a social event for nearby residents.

If you’re near San Antonio…

Focused on a “person-centered, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented” approach, Haven for Hope serves people experiencing homelessness in San Antonio. There are a variety of volunteer options available, ranging from administrative support to client interaction services. They also host donation drives to fulfill their clients’ basic needs. Individual and group volunteers are welcome and encouraged to find tasks that they feel best suited for!

Soldiers’ Angels provides food assistance to San Antonio veterans monthly. Volunteers can help out at their distribution center or send care packages and homemade items to veteran patients in VA hospitals. With the holiday season, these veterans could use some holiday spirit so consider donating your time or a homemade treat this year!

Taking it to the Streets serves dinner to the homeless and impoverished in downtown San Antonio every Saturday night and distributes clothing and other basic necessities. Volunteers can help shop, prepare, and cook meals. They may also distribute essential items such as clothing and toiletries to the visitors. Individual volunteers and groups that want to provide a special blessing or service are all welcome!

Many of these organizations have smaller branches or similar groups located in towns across the state. If you’re far from any of these cities, try googling “volunteer opportunities near me” for other helpful resources. 

There are so many great chances for volunteer work and donations this time of year, so find one you’re passionate about and get out there! 

Stay ConnecTED!

Caroline Harrison