The Center for Community Engagement has compiled a list of resources and volunteering opportunities for the community to use. You can find information and resources about COVID-19 assistance, donations, testing sites, and volunteering.
Resources/Information
Information
Donations
Food Donations
Whether you’re clearing canned goods out of your kitchen pantry, or your business has pallets of fresh produce, we welcome healthy food donations of any quantity anytime.
Food Drives
Drop off food donations at our headquarters between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Donate online with a one-time gift, a sustaining gift or a gift in honor or memory of a loved one using a credit card or PayPal account.
Donate by phone by calling us at 512-220-2680. We are available to take your call Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
Donate by mail by making your check payable to Central Texas Food Bank and sending it to:
Central Texas Food Bank
6500 Metropolis Drive.
Austin, TX 78744
“The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted the Latino and immigrant community financially, and many families are unable to cover their basic needs. On pantry service days, we provide bags of dry food like bread, cereal, rice, beans, and canned goods, as well as bags of fresh food like greens, fruits, root vegetables, milk, and eggs at no cost to each family, often depleting our pantry stock within the first hour and a half of service. When donated, we also provide diapers, pet food, and basic needs like toilet paper.
Since establishing our emergency food pantry operations on March 13, El Buen has provided more than 120,000 pounds of food to more than 5,000 families in Austin. Before COVID-19, El Buen’s pantry served about 100 families per week. Currently, we are serving more than 450 families per week, and in the past three months have received more pantry visits than we normally would in three years.
Your donations enable El Buen to stay flexible as we work to address the most urgent needs for families in Austin. Every dollar counts — please give today”.
Resources/Assistance
Austin Parks & Recreation Family & Children Programing
The Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is offering a variety of online recreation and cultural experiences for residents sheltering in place. The programs include enriching learning experiences, exercise classes, and family activities. Please visit https://www.austintexas.gov/parkprograms to see a comprehensive list of all their virtual activities!
Electric/water bill Assistance—-[Travis County’s Health office at 512-854-4120]
Message from Council member Greg Casar-“I sponsored, alongside my friend Delia Garza, the creation of the RISE Fund. This $15 million fund will provide emergency relief to families who need direct financial assistance, food, housing support, and to meet other basic needs immediately”
Asian Family Support Services of Austin—-[512-358-6318 (bilingual) or email rise@AFSSAustin.org]
COVID 19 RISE FUND from Council Member Greg Cesar: AFSSA began processing applications on Monday. If you have questions or want to apply, contact them by phone or email. 512-358-6318 (bilingual) or email rise@AFSSAustin.org
CARES Act Emergency Assistance
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocates funds to support individuals and businesses/organizations, including colleges and universities, affected by the pandemic and economic downturn. UT has received funds under the CARES Act and is working to provide emergency assistance to as many students as possible to help them meet their emergency financial needs during this challenging time.
COVID-19 Testing
15 Waller St.
Free: Yes
Insurance Required: No
Referral Required: No
Hours: By-Appointment
CommUnityCare
Multiple Locations
Free: Yes
Insurance Required: No
Referral Required: No
Hours: Vary by Location
Multiple Locations
Free: No
Insurance Required: No, but $250 self-pay
Referral Required: No
Hours: 8 AM – 6 PM Monday-Friday, weekend hours differ by location
Multiple Locations
Free: Yes
Insurance Required: Yes
Referral Required: No
Hours: By-Appointment
Multiple Locations (Far West, Mueller, Anderson Mill, South Lamar)
Free: No
Insurance Required: Yes, or self-pay (cost not listed)
Referral Required: No
Hours: 24 Hours
3200 Jones Rd.
Free: No
Insurance Required: No, but self-pay ranges $65-$75
Referral Required: No, but video visit done first
Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM (By-Appointment)
Multiple Locations
Free: Yes
Insurance Required: No, but $90 self-pay
Referral Required: Yes
Hours: By-Appointment
Multiple Locations
Free: Yes
Insurance Required: No
Referral Required: Yes
Hours: By-Appointment
Multiple Locations
Free: Yes
Insurance Required: No, but $70 self-pay
Referral Required: No, but video visit done first
Hours: Vary by Location
**Information here gathered and compiled by DO512.com**
Volunteering
COVID-19: How to Help Campaign GivePulse
Agency: The Education Project
Ongoing: Yes
In person/virtual: Virtual
Description: The Education Project was launched under Humanity First USA at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to connect volunteer college students and professionals as virtual tutors for K-12 students. These students are often from under-resourced areas that have been greatly impacted by the transition to remote learning, and we are currently in great need of more volunteer tutors! Once your registration has gone through, you will attend an orientation and be matched with a student soon after! Time commitment can vary, but two 1-hour sessions per week are most common. To learn more and sign up, please visit TheEduProject.net!
Agency: American Red Cross Blood donation
Ongoing: Yes
In person/virtual: In person
Description: The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations. There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus, and the Red Cross urgently needs the help of blood and platelet donors and blood drive hosts to meet the needs of patient care. Please schedule your next donation appointment now to help prevent another blood shortage.
Agency: Drive a senior
Ongoing: Yes
In person/virtual: In person
Description: As a volunteer driver with Drive a Senior West Austin (to become DAS ATX) you will have the opportunity to provide door-to-door rides for local seniors in need. Drivers use their own vehicles and choose which rides they would like to take. Our volunteer opportunities are quite flexible depending on your schedule with choices from several times a week to only once or twice a month. Before too long you will have created new and meaningful friendships with your passengers that will last a life time.
Agency: Big and mini
Ongoing: Yes
In person/virtual: Virtual
Description: Big & Mini is a virtual volunteering organization that allows for younger people to be paired with elderly residents in nursing homes in an effort to provide mutual friendship during these isolating times. Through video calls in which younger volunteers chat with seniors and assist them with tasks virtually, we hope to combat increased senior isolation and difficulty completing daily tasks caused by COVID-19. Our platform automatically facilitates matching, so joining the program would be as simple as filling out a form on the Big & Mini website. In order to join Big & Mini, volunteers must be willing to commit to at least one twenty-minute phone or video call with a senior resident and read through a training document explaining what to do during calls, how to maintain proper etiquette when talking with the elderly, and how to answer common questions they may have. Upon sign up, we will send out all information regarding what to expect along with the said document.
Agency: Faceshield project
Ongoing: Yes
In person/virtual: In person
Description: Volunteers are urgently needed to help us build face shields at the Austin Convention Center. We provide all the tools, materials, training and a safe, physically distanced and hygienically supervised production space. We are looking for individuals at low risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Volunteers are encouraged to apply in pairs to share a workstation (participants in pairs must reside together). Free parking is available for participants at the Convention Center Garage. We will include parking information in the pre-shift information email. Once your application is reviewed and accepted, we will send you an email to schedule your shift times. Please do not show up at the Convention Center unless you receive a pre-shift email with instructions. To fill out an application use this link: https://www.faceshieldproject.org/volunteer
Agency: UT Health Austin Contact Tracing
Ongoing: Yes–on rolling basis
In person/virtual: Virtual
Description: UT Health Austin and the Dell Medical School are looking for volunteers interested in helping with contact tracing and home monitoring. These individuals will collect valuable data and make a community impact by helping slow the transmission of COVID-19. If you are able to volunteer, you will be on-boarded and trained prior to your start date.
Agency: Girls Empowerment Network: Call for Spark Kit Volunteers
Ongoing: Yes
In person/virtual: Both
Description: What are Spark Kits? Spark Kits include a workbook with 25 self-guided and collaborative activities, supplies for all activities, an affirmation bookmark, and daily virtual access to our girl experts and other girls her age. Additionally, each Spark Kit is hand decorated by volunteers and showcases inspiring girl power quotes, images, and stickers. Spark Kits are our innovative response to ensure that during this challenging time, girls can access impactful programming and engage meaningfully with their peers and girl experts. And to make that happen, we need your help! There are three ways to volunteer for this awesome initiative:
Decorate Spark Kit boxes
think pizzazz, color, fun stickers, empowering quotes, and the celebration of girlhood!
Deliver Spark Kits as a Spark Kit Spirit Squad volunteer
deliveries take place in Central Texas and Houston
volunteers will commit to delivering 5-6 boxes every other Saturday during June 13 – August 8 get ready to decorate your car, throw on your tutu, and blast Beyoncé on your stereo all while dropping off these phenomenal kits on girls’ front doorsteps!
Make masks for inclusion in each girls’ Spark Kit we want to ensure all girls have access to personal protective gear
For FAQs visit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z0qkthIvdkfAoAhGmnihkSvl5agrc-J4eACyXDnCmoU/edit
Agency: Dell Medical HTB Door Screeners
Ongoing: Yes
In person/virtual: In person
Description: Screen employees and patients at the HTB for COVID 19 related symptoms prior to entering the building. We have developed a training program for volunteers to conduct the screening. No clinical background is required!
Agency: Austin Angels Dare to Dream Program
Ongoing: Yes
In person/virtual: Both
Description: Austin Angels wants to match highly passionate volunteers to mentor and support one youth in foster care. Mentors will build relationships and teach life skills with the hope of creating positive outcomes and independent living skills for youth in foster care. Mentors will work closely with a youth (ages 11-21). They will meet at least 2x month to build relationships, teach life skills, complete an activity, or simply spend time together.
Agency: Sunrise Community Church
Ongoing: Yes
In person/virtual: In person
Description: Sunrise Community Church’s Homeless Navigation Center is seeking volunteers to assist with food and coffee preparation and distribution. Volunteers will be asked to wear masks and gloves (you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer), practice social distancing, stand on your feet for long periods of time and wear closed toed shoes. Must be 18 and older. Shifts are available Monday through Friday. A full shift is from 8:15 AM to 1:30 PM, Shift A is from 8:15 to 11 AM and shift B is available from 11 AM to 1:30 PM.