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Most Austin residents have had their electricity and water restored, but many are still reeling in the aftermath of the winter storm. Some lost income last week or were displaced after the freeze damaged their homes. Many are now struggling to find and afford food.
"Once we get water to everyone, the biggest need is food and food insecurity," AGÕæÈË°Ù¼ÒÀÖ County Judge Andy Brown said Monday.
If you want to help out, but can't volunteer, the Austin Area Urban League, which supports underserved groups and people of color, is and has raised more than $1.3 million so far. You can find additional organizations and groups requesting monetary support below.
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Here are some options for helping out in the next few days and weeks ahead. Do you know of an upcoming volunteer opportunity not on the list? Email [email protected]
City of Austin volunteer opportunities:
- Volunteers are needed at a drive-thru food distribution at the Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1156 Hargrave St., in East Austin. between 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Food will be distributed from 1 to 6 p.m.
- At the Palmer Events Center in South Austin, to provide help for those still taking shelter at the center following the winter storm.
- If you want to receive messages from the City of Austin when volunteer opportunities become available, .
The Austin Disaster Relief Network is so they can be notified when a specific assignment comes up. If you can't volunteer, ADRN is to help those affected by the winter storm.
ADRN is also recruiting volunteers for cleanup efforts at Austin homes damaged by the winter storm. Click on the links below to sign up to join cleanup crews operating out of these Austin churches:
- Greater Mt. Zion Church, Austin, 4301 Tannehill Ln (78721);
- Austin Oaks Church, 4220 Monterey Oaks Blvd (78749);
- One Chapel, 5508 W US Hwy 290 Service Rd (78735);
- City Reach Church, 3502 Hatch Road, Cedar Park (78613);
- Austin Stone, 11956 Dorsett Rd (78727),
Austin Mutual Aid, which has raised more than $800,000 to get people fed and sheltered, is . Donations of needed items, including tents, clothing, sleeping bags, diabetic testing strips and food, can be dropped off at Forever Eternal Moments (207 W. 4th St. downtown) from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Read more about needed items on the group's .
Caritas of Austin has to help people experiencing homelessness, including making hygiene and snack kits, masks and frontline service PPE kits. The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) keeps sorted by date.
Catholic Charities of Central Texas is asking for donated diapers for its . Diapers can be shipped directly to 1625 Rutherford Lane in Austin. The organization says if you're able to support its winter storm response, you can donate . And, to be added to the group's on-call volunteer list, email [email protected].
At the Central Texas Food Bank, you can help out distributing food at a mobile pantry site, prepare donations for distribution at the organization's warehouse, support the group's kitchen staff or volunteer in the food bank's garden. Read more about . If you'd like to donate to the food bank, you can . People in need of food can call 211 or visit on where to find food now.
We Are Blood, Central Texas' blood bank, says it is experiencing a critical shortage of donations following the winter storm. to donate blood, which the organization says will be helpful even if your appointment is weeks away.
Again, if you know of a volunteer opportunity not on this list, especially one this week, email [email protected].
