This month, that section will look a little different. City orders to encourage social distancing, slow the spread of the coronavirus and protect residents have dealt a blow to the local economy.
Some local businesses have started new efforts to keep their neighbors healthy and help those in need. We are highlighting some of those efforts, but there are surely more in the community. If you know of a local business that is working to help the community get through this dark time, please send us an email at [email protected].
1. The Austin Community Foundation, located at 4315 Guadalupe St., Ste. 300, Austin, and United Way for Greater Austin, located at 2000 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., have partnered to create All Together ATX, a fund that will help nonprofit organizations who are working with those impacted by the economic and health ramifications of the coronavirus. Applications are open through April 17. In addition, ACF has raised money for the artists, service industry workers and hospitality employees affected by the cancellation of the South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals. The Stand With Austin Fund is currently accepting requests for proposals through April 17. www.austincf.org. www.unitedwayaustin.org
2. Furniture store Austin’s Couch Potatoes, which has a location at 7521 N. Lamar Boulevard, stopped furniture production on March 20 to focus on creating masks and gowns to cover shortages due to the spread of the coronavirus. The store used materials that would have made pillow-casing shells, and after city approval, those masks and gowns were sent to local health care providers. 512-501-6716. www.austincouches.com
3. The Boys and Girls Club of the Austin Area, 6648 Ed Bluestein Blvd., Austin, is offering “club on the go” kits to families curbside with snacks, supplies for activities, resource lists and more at eight locations across the city, including its home club. The club is accepting donations to fund the kits while the doors are shuttered, and philanthropists Brian and Adria Sheth have pledged to match funds dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000. 512-444-7199. www.bgcaustin.org
4. Easy Tiger, which is open for delivery and take-out at 6406 N. I-35, Austin, will embark on an effort to bake 10,000 loaves of bread to charitable organizations that are working to help those impacted by the coronavirus. The beer garden and bakery plans to deliver those loaves over the next 60 days. Easy Tiger will match every loaf of bread purchased in a take-out or delivery order with a loaf for the community—up to 2,000 loaves—and residents can also donate a “community loaf” for $3. 512-494-4151. www.easytigerusa.com
5. Tiff’s Treats, which has ten locations in the Austin area, including one at 1235 E. 51st St., has added warm meals and cases of waters to its delivery options, in addition to remaining open for its warm cookie pick-up and delivery service. The warm meals come from various restaurant partners in the area, while the cases of water are from FBR Management and were previously designated for Austin’s spring festival season. 512-813-7100. www.tiffstreats.com
6. Tito’s Handmade Vodka, which has a brick-and-mortar apparel store at 215 Lavaca St., Austin, donated $2 million to national efforts that are helping those affected by the coronavirus. That donation includes $100,000 to the Austin Community Foundation’s Stand With Austin fund. In addition, Tito’s is producing 24 tons of hand sanitizer over the next several weeks to give away to those in need. www.titosvodka.com
7. Tso Chinese Delivery, which has a kitchen at 3909 N. I-35, Ste. E5, Austin, has launched a “Tso Giving” campaign to help anyone in need with a free meal. In the first 24 hours of the campaign March 17-18, the campaign donated over $2,000 in meals to Austinites, and on March 24 Tso offered free meals to service industry workers in need. The Chinese food delivery company remains open for business. To learn more about the campaign email [email protected]. 512-774-4876. www.tsodelivery.com
8. YMCA of Austin is offering child care for children of healthcare workers, first responders and all other essential workers at two locations, including its East Communities location at 5315 Ed Bluestein Blvd. Care is available for children ages 3-12. Children are required to bring a lunch and the cost is $50 per day. YMCA staff will be taking additional protective measures to ensure safety during this time. 512-933-9622. www.austinymca.org
Some local restaurants, in addition to remaining open for takeout and delivery, are cooking community meals for service industry workers and others in need.
9. Lonesome Dove, located at 419 Colorado St., Austin, is offering a to-go menu from 5-8 p.m. from Monday through Saturday. Proceeds go to fund its community meal for those in need, which is served from 4-6 p.m. from Monday through Friday. 512-271-2474. www.lonesomedoveaustin.com
10. Old Thousand, located at 1000 E. 11th St., Austin, is cooking 20 family meals per day for those in the service industry. If spots fill up, the team will roll over a request to the next day. The Chinese spot remains open for delivery and take-out. 737-222-6637. www.oldthousandatx.com
11. Patrizi’s, located at 2307 Manor Road, Austin, is cooking community meals at Vic and Al’s, located across the street in the space that used to be Unit D Pizzeria. Nic Patrizi, the owner of the Italian food truck, had planned to open Vic and Al’s this spring, but with those plans on hold, decided to cook meals from that space for those in need. Check Vic and Al’s Instagram page for more. www.instagram.com/vicandals
