As the entire country braces for the effects of Hurricane Irma and commemorates the victims from the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, Northwest Austin residents can expect more opportunities to donate to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts and other ways to give back to the city of Austin.

See what news Northwest Austin residents need to know heading into this week.

1. Austin food truck OneTaco opened a new brick-and-mortar location last Friday
Downtown Austin food truck opened its second Northwest Austin area brick-and-mortar location last week.

OneTaco opened in the former Mighty Bird space at 2900 W. Anderson Lane, Ste. 14, Austin. The restaurant serves traditional Mexican tacos and beer. Learn more about the story behind the business.

2. Free informal classes return to Concordia University
Lenses, Concordia University Texas’ informal classes, return Monday and run until Nov. 27. The course intends to help develop media literacy skills in the community. Students examine films through different perspectives and discuss different interpretations of the content.

Class begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Moviehouse and Eatery, located at 8300 N. RM 620, Ste. B, Austin.

3. Attend live music events around Austin for HAAM Benefit Day on Tuesday
Local nonprofit Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, or HAAM, hosts its annual citywide HAAM Benefit Day event on Tuesday. HAAM provides access to health care for Austin’s low-income working musicians. Participating venues include Whole Foods Market, Snooze, Whole Earth Provisions, The University of Texas Dell Medical School and Austin Rocks. Some of the musicians scheduled to perform include Matt Kruetz, Eric Tessmer and The Octopus Project. The full schedule is available online.

4. Local organizations are offering resources for DACA recipients
The Trump administration announced Sept. 5 it will end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in six months barring congressional intervention, Austin’s public and higher education systems are grappling with how to deal with undocumented students and staff should their DACA status be revoked.

There are at least six organizations in Austin that will provide free or low-cost legal counsel to immigrant communities in Austin, including Casa Marianella and the Equal Justice Center.

5. The Domain and other malls are collecting diapers for Hurricane Harvey victims
In partnership with the Austin Diaper Bank, Barton Creek Square, The Domain, Lakeline Mall and San Marcos Premium Outlets are collecting diapers for infants and adults, wipes, and diaper cream for Hurricane Harvey victims through Sept. 30.

Donations can be dropped off at The Domain Guest Services, located at 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin.

6. September is National Hunger Action Month
In honor of the month, the Central Texas Food Bank is having a “Nothing Runs on Empty” campaign. Residents can get involved by doing the following:

  • Grab a paper plate or use the Food Bank’s printable template at centraltexasfoodbank.org/ham2017

  • Write down something you can't do on an empty stomach: “On an empty stomach I can’t ______.”

  • Post/share a picture of you holding the plate on your social networks using #HungerActionMonth and tag @Central Texas Food Bank on Facebook, and @CTXFoodBank on Twitter and Instagram.


7. Donate to the #WilcoCares drive by Friday
United Way of Williamson County is collecting cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products at locations throughout Williamson County.

Locations will only accept items on the donation list. View the list of items and locations here.