Your Holiday Giving Guide

The season of giving is here, and you want to make sure your donation has a meaningful impact. We’re always amazed at the outpouring of generosity during this time of year, so to help you get in the holiday spirit, we’re sharing six inspiring ways you can give back!

1 – Give a Gift Online

There’s no place like Home for the Holidays, and a Caritas of Austin gift is a great way to share the warmth and comfort of home with Austin neighbors who have experienced homelessness. See all of the options and donate a Home for the Holidays gift here.

Have friends and family that are hard to shop for? Make a donation in their honor and we’ll send them a card.

2 – Make a Welcome Home Basket

You can build a gift that changes lives. A Welcome Home basket contains basic household items that any person needs when they walk into their home for the first time after experiencing homelessness. Begin by getting a new laundry basket, and fill it with essentials like a sheet set, cooking utensils, a new towel and washcloth, laundry detergent, toilet paper, soap, and shampoo and conditioner.

Learn more and view other in-kind needs here.

3 – Holiday Parties with Impact

Your holiday gatherings and parties can be the perfect setting to incorporate a food or gift card drive. Invite guests to bring nonperishable food, hygiene items, or gift cards to neighbors in need. Or make your party extra special with a raffle or silent auction raising money to end homelessness!

4 – Local or online, shop for a cause

Local businesses are spreading cheer this holiday season with events and promotions benefiting Caritas of Austin. We’re lucky to have partnerships with creative community supporters like Wheatsville Co-op, who are making it easy for customers to donate or round up their purchases. See our Community Calendar for more!

Shopping online? Save this link to shop AmazonSmile, and Amazon will donate a percent of your payment to Caritas of Austin.

5 – Share the love on social media

People in your network are looking for ways to give back, too. All month long, we’ll be highlighting ways people can give the gift of #HomeForTheHolidays this season, including honor gifts where we’ll send your loved one an e-card. Be sure to follow us and share posts throughout the month on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news, events, and client successes.

6 – Make 2018 a year of kindness

While donating is a once yearly tradition for many people, sustained monthly giving is a powerful way to support our work all year long. Consider setting up a monthly donation now that will make your next year of giving automatic – while providing meaningful, reliable support to programs that help Austin neighbors build wellbeing. Learn more about our monthly giving options.