This Is What You Can Do As A Family, To Give Back On Pandemic Thanksgiving
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With Thanksgiving around the corner, renewed restrictions, and a post-election surge underway, many of us are facing a less-than-ideal holiday without our family and friends. In a couple of weeks, we will be coming face to face with Thanksgiving, a holiday we never thought could be celebrated without having over, at least a dozen people.
The customary tradition of giving thanks, however, may feel like it’s harder to come this year. But out of all years, it is more important that we sit down this time around and think of what has us, feeling grateful.
Talking about it is one part of the job done. This Thanksgiving, showing your children what they can do to give back to the community and feel a real sense of accomplishment is going be the highlight of the holiday.
So just for you, we have put together a list of activities that you can enjoy as a family in Austin to really contribute in bringing some holiday cheer in others’ lives.
Giving Back On Thanksgiving
ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot
The Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot is one of Austin’s most popular and beloved Thanksgiving traditions. This charity event in Austin started out in 1991 with just a handful of volunteers and today it has grown to be the largest five mile run in Texas. The run includes about 20,000 participants from all across the country and is a wonderful way for families to bond as well as feel good about giving back. 100% of the proceeds of the event go to words benefiting Caritas of Austin. It is one of those special few events that's happening in 2020, albeit virtually.
Interestingly, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Thundercloud Subs Turkey trot. You may register online at www.thundercloud.com and run anywhere in the world you happen to be. And this time around, there is even a raffle for a brand-new car!
H-E-B Feast Of Sharing
Like many other live events, H-E-B's Feast of Sharing has also tweaked their annual Thanksgiving celebration slightly. What would have been the 31st yearly H-E-B feast of sharing in Austin has been cancelled due to COVID-19. But the grocers have alternate plans. Instead of the traditional dinner (What wine goes well with dinner?) event, H-E-B is making food donations to 18 Texas food banks and more than 40 hunger relief agencies. These relief agencies like Meals on Wheels, will then distribute holiday dinners with, “roasted Turkey, beans and mashed potatoes with garlic butter” to families in both Texas and Mexico.
With more than 340K meals set to go out this Thanksgiving, it is a great opportunity to volunteer, donate and introduce young children to the concept of giving back to the community. Follow this link for more information regarding H-E-B feast of sharing 2020.
Austin Empty Bowl Project
Get ready for another annual event going online this Thanksgiving. It is the remarkably interesting Austin Annual Empty Bowl Project. The Austin Empty Bowl Project is an all-volunteer organization run by potters to combat hunger and food instability in the Central Texas area.
Typically, bowls, soup, bread, auction items, music, and many volunteer hours are donated to get people together on the Sunday before Thanksgiving to raise money for the children's programs of the Central Texas Food Bank and Meals for Kids Central Texas.
People are invited to select and buy a bowl, choose from many delicious soups, and enjoy listening to live music while enjoying lunch. But this year, you can order your bowl online, cook up some wholesome broths and soups and enjoy.
There is a silent auction as well for items that include special ceramic pieces from local artists as well as bowls signed by celebrities. Thanks to wonderful sponsors and business donors, ALL proceeds from the event benefit children in Central Texas who are food insecure. With every $25 you donate, 12 bowls can be made, which can then be sold at $25 each, that covers fresh meals for over 150 kids right here in Austin! What's a better way to give back on Thanksgiving?
The virtual concert runs from Sunday, November 8th through Sunday November 22nd, and tickets can be bought here!
Looking to avoid all the cooking this Thanksgiving? Here are 8 places in Austin to order your Thanksgiving dinner from!
