Community care starts with you this holiday season!

Dear Friends,

Did you see what I just saw? A forecast with a little rain and temperatures below 90! The weather change is certainly a reason to celebrate in Central Texas!

Like many of you, I love that cue that the most extreme part of the Texas summer is behind us. I love knowing that the holidays are just around the corner. Family and friends are on my mind as I think of something new I'll be doing to make my time more meaningful this holiday season.

If that sounds like you, I'd like to point you to The Caring Place. Between holiday giving, food drives, item donations, volunteering and shopping, there's a lot you can do to support neighbors in need. This work that fills me with pride and gratitude also builds a sense of community when we could all use a bit of humanity. It has certainly been a gift to me, and perhaps it can also be to you.

Please keep reading to learn about what keeps us all busy this fall, then consider joining in.

Blessings,

Ginna O'Connor

Executive Director

NEW: Chronic Pain Self-Management Workshop

Explore healthy ways to manage and live with a chronic pain condition so that you can enjoy a more satisfying life. Face the challenge of functioning at your best, even with the difficulties that pain can cause.

This FREE, 6-class workshop is brought to you by the Area Agency on Aging of Central Texas and hosted by The Caring Place. Space is limited, so sign up now!

When? Thursdays: October 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, and 30 from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Where? The Caring Place, Programs & Services Community Room at 2001 Railroad Avenue

Who? Anyone 60 years and older living with chronic pain and desires support, education and community.

How? RSVP with Xinia at 512-943-0726 or Quynh at 512-943-0729.

Watch our Social Media for more shopping surprises all year long!

Do you shop at Randalls? Print and fill out this document to have your purchases at Randalls support our mission. Submit the form to the Randalls Courtesy Booth.

DOWNLOAD FLYER

Let's increase the number of folks who participate in this program so that you can help The Caring Place when you buy your groceries.

The Caring Place (TCP) brought back Hunger Free Holidays Food Drives with a twist in 2023. The campaign, intending to fill the Food Pantry with the things it needs most, is asking the community to donate specific items each month through December. The October request for the Food Pantry is for hygiene items. This includes things like toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toilet paper, feminine products and other hygiene items.

Targeted drives help The Caring Place use its resources wisely and ensure the community has a wide selection in the Food Pantry. Please check the monthly giving guide this holiday season when planning Food & Necessity Drives. Items may be delivered to the Donations drive through at 2000 Railroad Avenue, Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

If you need the items weighed for a group Food Drive, you can park in the reserved parking spot on the north side of the building and a Food Pantry team member will assist you with unloading and weighing. This reserved parking spot is available Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri, at 2000 Railroad Avenue, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Due to the record number of people utilizing the Food Pantry, The Caring Place cannot deliver or pick up the large blue barrels for collection during this year’s campaign. However, you can borrow a barrel if you provide pick up and delivery. You may also make monetary gifts at caringplacetx.org/donate to help The Caring Place purchase the food the organization needs most.

TCP’s Director of Food Programs & Facilities, David Earl, explains, “Due to limited space and time for sorting, we think it’s important to focus on one type of item each month. It will help us supplement the Food Pantry with critical items in this busy time while keeping sorting time to a minimum.”

Through August, The Caring Place Food Pantry has served 132% more people than in 2022 and there has been a considerable increase in requests for food and financial assistance in 2023. For additional information about Food Drives, call 512–943-0738 or email fooddonations@caringplacetx.org.

Would you like to download a flyer to post at your business or organization? CLICK HERE!

Let's introduce you to a couple volunteers this month!

Meet Robin

Robin is recently retired and a new resident of Sun City. She tells me she first became aware of The Caring Place through her membership of the Women Helping Others (WHO) organization, which connects members to various non-profits in the Williamson County area. Robin, who was looking for ways to give back to the community, decided to participate in a TCP volunteer orientation.



Read More...

Meet Jan & Doug

Both Doug and Jan explain that they came across The Caring Place by word of mouth. Upon hearing good things from their friends, they decided to see what volunteering here was like and have been here ever since!



Read More...

Ready to join our volunteer team? Fill out our online application at caringplacetx.org/volunteer. Have questions about volunteering? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Dennis Hilgeman, at dhilgemancaringplacetx.org.