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General
What is Austin Blessings Co-op?
Austin Blessings Co-op was founded by Riverbend Church in 2019 to provide a platform for delivering services to Austin’s most impoverished residents. In the Spring of 2020, as COVID-19 began to ravage our communities, it became clear that a single church, while well-intentioned, could not satisfy the increasing demands for all of the practical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our community. Riverbend Church, together with a number of faith-based partners, non-profits, businesses, and others, began to organize and collaborate around the resources each organization could bring to bear on the significant challenges facing our communities. Today Austin Blessings Co-op stands in the gap to show kindness to anyone with a need in our community. We are a non-traditional cooperative that will partner with any church, non-profit, business or ministry who shares that vision and who wants to make a difference.
How can I volunteer with Austin Blessings Co-op?
Whether it’s one afternoon of serving in a month, or 20 hours every week, we rely on an extraordinary group of volunteers from all over Austin to meet the needs of our neighbors. When you volunteer with Austin Blessings Co-op, you become part of an amazing community. A community that selflessly seeks to meet the needs of our vulnerable neighbors however we can. Whether your contribution to the community is through your time, talent, or treasure, you’re on the front lines of where compassion meets action in Austin. If you’d like to volunteer with us, sign up in our Volunteer Portal.
What sort of volunteer opportunities are available?
We’ve got tons! Harvest Blessings Food Pantry relies on volunteer roles five days a week, including but not limited to: nonperishables sorting/packing, facility prep and food assembly, food distribution, check-in and traffic control, tech support, and connecting with our beloved patrons. Our Woven Blessings Clothing Ministry relies on volunteer roles three days per week, including but not limited to: sorting, washing, drying, hanging and displaying clothing & accessory donations in the Boutique. Baby Blessings also relies entirely on volunteers to achieve all that we do. This includes roles such as patron check-in, diaper distribution, special events coordination and setup, prayer team, and a general desire to love and embrace the mothers, fathers, and babies of this community. These ministries represent only a part of what’s available for you to get involved in. There are many volunteer opportunities through the Austin Blessings Co-op. You can learn more and/or sign up through our Volunteer Portal.
Can I volunteer with my family?
Of course! We love to see families serve alongside one another as we unite to bring value, respect, and peace to all who are suffering in our community by providing practical assistance, emotional and spiritual support.
Are Austin Blessings Co-op representatives available onsite for questions?
Yes, always. If you are in need of an Austin Blessings Co-op representative we are available on-site during distribution hours to assist however we can.
Harvest Blessings Food Pantry
How can I register to receive free food?
If you are in need of food, our Harvest Blessings Food Pantry is open 3 days every week in two convenient East and South Austin locations. Both locations provide a variety of fresh, high-quality food at no cost to our patrons. All you have to do is register for an appointment time on our website or mobile app, and we’ll take care of the rest once you’re here. Pantry reservations are made on a first-come first-serve basis one week in advance of your appointment time.
Can I come if I don’t have a car?
Absolutely. Each pantry welcomes a limited amount of walk ups each distribution period that are served on a first-come first-served basis. However, our walk up pantry distribution is reserved exclusively for those who are either experiencing homelessness or using public transportation to come to and from the food pantry. We kindly ask that patrons with their own modes of transportation who have not scheduled an appointment to receive food from the pantry please refrain from coming to the pantry and parking to use the walk up distribution.
Can I come whenever I want after making an appointment?
When signing up to receive food you will be required to make an appointment during a designated 15 minute time slot. We ask that you come during your designated appointment time to receive food. If you arrive before your scheduled appointment time our team will not be able to serve you until your scheduled time.
Is there a limit to how many times I can sign up?
You are able to sign up for any of the food pantries whenever you want as many times as you need. We only ask that you make an appointment and come during your designated time slot to receive food.
Why can’t I sign up for the pantry?
The most likely explanation for this is a fully booked pantry. Our 350 available appointments fill up within hours of opening, so the most likely reason for being unable to secure a spot for food is that we have already reached the max capacity of registrations for that day. The best solution to combat this issue is to schedule an appointment as close to the opening of registration as possible. That means at 10AM on Mondays and Fridays and 10:30AM on Wednesdays you are on our app/website ready for registration to open. If you are noticing further issues or don’t believe it is a capacity issue then check out our social media pages. There we will announce any updates or complications with our system for all of our patrons. If you are still having further complications signing up after attempting an early registration and checking our social media for updates then please reach out to our team via email and we will get back with you as quickly as possible.
What type of food does the pantry provide?
Harvest Blessings provides an assortment of fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, bakery, and non-perishables that are sourced through both a vibrant food rescue operation, and a long term partnership with the Central Texas Food Bank.
Does Harvest Blessings accept food donations?
Yes, if you are called to share your treasure in helping us achieve the vision for this unique ministry, we accept financial gifts and in-kind donations on non-perishable goods. You may drop off donated items at the pantry during distribution hours.
How many appointments are available each week?
There are 350 available appointment slots for each of the three pantry distributions. Registration opens one week in advance at the beginning of each pantry distribution. For Mondays and Fridays (South Austin) registration opens at 10AM for the following week, while Wednesdays (East Austin) registration opens at 10:30AM for the following week.
If I can’t make my appointment, do I need to cancel?
If you are unable to attend the pantry after scheduling an appointment it is highly encouraged and appreciated by our team that you cancel your appointment in order to make space for another family to register to receive food for that day’s pantry.
Baby Blessings
How can I obtain free diapers?
All you have to do is register for an appointment to pick up food from Harvest Blessings Food Pantry on Wednesdays or the first and third Friday of each month. After that make sure to arrive at our check-in lot during your appointment time to receive both diapers and an assortment of good food. Please note that supplies are limited and distributed on a first-come first-serve basis. We encourage anyone needing diapers to register for the earliest appointment available to ensure you get everything that you need.
What sort of other types of products does Baby Blessings provide?
Along with diapers Baby Blessings has a limited amount of feminine products and baby wipes to be distributed on a first-come first-served basis. We also distribute a variety of baby items such as car seats, strollers, cribs, baby toys and clothes sourced from donations and fundraising. If you are in need of items beyond diapers, wipes, or feminine products then please notify a Baby Blessing volunteer when attending your food and diaper pickup.
What size diapers do you carry?
We carry newborns, kids size 1 - 6, and pull-ups 2T-3T, 3T-4T, 4T-5T. We rarely have size 7’s or adult diapers as both are items only received through donations at this time. Diaper sizes are limited so make sure that you reserve an appointment as early as possible to ensure that you get the specific size you need.
Can I pick up diapers for my friends or neighbors?
You can only pick up diapers for immediate family members only.
Does Baby Blessings accept donations?
Of course. If you are called to share your treasure in helping us achieve the vision for this unique ministry, we accept financial gifts and in-kind donations (new or gently used baby products such as strollers, cribs, car seats, clothes, toys). You may drop off donated items at the wooden bin inside the Community Center Café at Riverbend Church.
Do you distribute adult diapers?
Not usually. On occasion we will have a small amount of adult diapers that have been donated or rescued from stores such as Target. If you are in need of adult diapers please notify a Baby Blessings volunteer when attending your food and diaper pickup.
Woven Blessings Boutique
When is the boutique open?
If you are in need of clothing for you and your family, Woven Blessings Boutique is open 2 days a week in East Austin (7000 Cameron Road) on Thursdays from 10:30AM-1:30PM and Saturdays from 10:30AM-1:30PM.
What type of clothes does the boutique have?
From that yard work t-shirt or that new interview attire, Woven Blessings has a bit of everything in stock. Our boutique provides clean, high-quality clothing and shoes to families at prices they can afford with nearly everything in the boutique being sold for as little as $1.
Does the Boutique accept donations?
Absolutely. If you are called to share your treasure in helping us achieve the vision for this unique ministry, we accept financial gifts and in-kind donations (gently used clothing, shoes, etc). You may drop off donated items at the wooden bin inside the Community Center Café at Riverbend Church.