We love Austin. You love Austin. That’s why, if you’re anything like us, you’re probably wondering how you can help. Lucky for you, there’s a lot you can do for the community without even leaving your home, like continuing to support local businesses. Restaurants around town are donating proceeds, starting up community kitchens, and accepting donations that will help provide meals to those affected by the crisis.
We’ll be using this guide to highlight initiatives around the city that are giving back to the Austin community and that are making it easier for you to help support first responders, hospital staff, and industry workers. And we’ll be updating the list as we learn about more. For additional resources, information, and Infatuation-hosted fundraising projects visit our page here.
The Spots
Every Friday, Interstellar BBQ is providing free bowls of their homemade soup to hospitality workers who have been financially affected by the crisis. Reserve your bowl or place an order from their menu online. There’s also a Pay It Forward option if you’d like to add a donation to the soup program with your order.
The oldest business in Texas, Scholz Garten, is currently donating 20% of all prepared and hot food order sales, through delivery or curbside pickup, to local nonprofits until restaurants, bars, and venues are open to the public again.
Pizzeria Grata
The Pay It Forward program at Pizzeria Grata has existed as long as they’ve been open, and its focus has recently shifted to those displaced from hospitality and service industry jobs. Their full menu is available online for delivery and pickup, but now there’s now a fundraiser tab as well.
Mandola's Italian Market
All four locations of Mandola’s Italian market and restaurant are open for curbside pickup and delivery, and now you can also sponsor a meal for a healthcare worker. Just select the “Send A Meal” option when you’re placing your online order and they’ll take care of the rest.
Mozart’s has teamed up with Black’s Barbecue to offer a selection of “Black N Brew” family meal packs that can feed anywhere from two to ten people. They come with an assortment of smoked meats, sides, pretzels, and a growler of cold-brew coffee. They also have a personal-sized version of the family pack that is free of charge to uniformed first responders. You can find out more details on their website.
Shoal Creek Saloon
Teaming up with Partnerships For Children, Shoal Creek Saloon is providing “Comfort Food Care Packages.” Each meal kit feeds a family of 6-8 and can be purchased online. They’re also open for pickup and delivery if you’ve been craving Cajun food.
In case you needed another reason to order your favorite Hopdoddy burger, you can now use the promo code Buy1Give1 with your online order and a burger will be provided to a healthcare worker via contactless delivery. You can find out more information on how the program works on their website.
Tso Chinese Delivery
Tso Delivery has operated solely as a takeout and delivery service since they first opened, but have recently started a #TsoGiving campaign to help give back to the community. Every weekend in April they’ll be providing free curbside family meals to those affected by the crisis. You can find out more information on their website.
Crema Bakery
In addition to their selection of baked goods, family meals, and grocery items, Crema Bakery is now offering a free bag lunch to anyone in need. Call ahead or walk-in if you’re in need of a meal, and check out their website for more information.
Vic and Al's
Vic and Al’s, the Cajun offshoot of popular food truck, Patrizi’s, was scheduled to open in April. Instead, they’ve converted the space into a service industry community kitchen, with a rotating daily meal for those in need. Reserve a time slot online, or you can make a donation to keep the kitchen operating. Learn more via their website.
Eastside Chinese restaurant Old Thousand is currently open for takeout, and even providing free delivery within five miles. They’re also giving away 20 meals each day for pickup from 3-4pm for displaced service industry workers. Send them an email (brendan@oldthousandatx.com) to find out more information about the program.
Kick Butt Coffee
Kick Butt Coffee is open for takeout and delivery, and they’re offering anyone who’s lost a job during this time with a free drink and a meal. You can find out more information on their Facebook page.
If you’d like to buy a meal for those on the front lines right now, Otherside Deli is working with The Seton Fund to provide meals to healthcare workers. Donations can be made online and will help provide gift cards that can be used for breakfast, lunch, or on kitchen essentials that Otherside Deli has in stock.
Andiamo Ristorante Italiano
You can also help feed frontline medical workers by donating a meal from Andiamo. Each purchase provides hospital staff with homemade pasta, bread, and delivery. Andiamo will be donating labor and delivery costs, so 100% of your purchase is going directly to those in need. Find out more information by calling (512) 719-3377.
All Parkside Projects locations - Parkside, Olive & June, Backspace, Jugo - have a limited menu of affordable menu items dubbed “family meals” for takeout. Service industry workers can take an additional 50% off of these prices as well. Orders can be placed online or by phone.