Christmas Bureau charity in need

Updated: Tuesday, 21 Dec 2010, 8:12 PM CST
Published : Tuesday, 21 Dec 2010, 8:12 PM CST

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin's Christmas Bureau charity is in need of help this holiday season. 1,800 families in need have yet to be sponsored for donations this year.?

The Christmas Bureau normally takes in around $80,000 in donations for the holidays, but this year, there has been only $15,000 in donations so far.

"A lot of our sponsors are applicants this year- I mean, things are hard all the way across the board," said Assistant Director Shon Washington.

The deadline to donate was Tuesday, December 21, but because of the need this year, volunteers elected to stay open until they meet the needs of as many families as possible.

The Bureau is also in need of volunteers to wrap the gifts they have collected.

"We're calling people- we've never done that. (Asking them to ) come pick it up- we've got stuff for you," said Washington. "I just don't have the manpower to go out and deliver it all."

Single mother Monica Magallanez got that call on Tuesday.

"I wasn't really expecting for them to call me today or even at all because I know there are a lot of other families out there who aren't as fortunate," she said. "To be honest, any little thing helps right now, so I'm grateful for anything I can get."

The Christmas Bureau started in 1964 with a focus on families with young children. They provide gifts, gift cards, and holiday meals for families in need.

Donations to most non-profits have been down in 2010, while holiday spending is up.

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Art, soup, live music and charity

Updated: Sunday, 21 Nov 2010, 7:24 PM CST
Published : Sunday, 21 Nov 2010, 7:24 PM CST

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Austin Empty Bowl Project was the first of its kind in Texas.

People started lining up as early as 7:00 a.m. Sunday morning to grab some of the 53,000 of the artsy bowls crafted in every way from soup to nuts... for soup. About 250 gallons of soup made by 30 area chefs filled the bowls.

One Liberty Hill woman admitted that she made the trip to the Mexican American Cultural Center for the bowls.

"Actually I'm being selfish. This is my Christmas present to me." said Helen Moore of Liberty Hill.

Moore is also keenly aware that buying bowls decorated by local artisans and school kids means she is participating in a more selfless act.

The project has been changing lives since 1997 in ways that only Austin can: through art, good food and music.

"You've got a whole convergence here of potters, musicians, artists, the artisans who are actually making the soups themselves all coming together." said John Turner Director of Marketing for the Capital Area Food Bank.

This is the 14th annual Empty Bowl Project . Last year's event brought in 2,000 people and more than $71,000 for their cause.

Preliminarily, this year is shaping up to top that. The food bank says each $15 bowl sold provides 45 meals for hungry Texas kids.

"I think it's a good way to start the holiday season... giving back to the community." said Moore.

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