The Church Lab is a small, experimental organization. As such, during a crisis situation, we seek to be nimble and find localized, creative needs that might be invisible otherwise.
Here are some local (to Central Texas), national and international causes that we recommend if you’re able to help with donations even a little. We know right now it might be overwhelming to try to sort out where your donations can make the most meaningful impact; hopefully this helps with that process a bit.
In parallel with our own mission and values, many of these organizations are doing very highly contextualized and creative work, and their services mean the world to those whom they impact. Check these orgs out! Please be generous if you are lucky enough to be able to be generous in this season.
LOCAL:
a) Relational: If you’d like to give to an individual in our TCL community that might be needing some extra help during this time, please email carrie@thechurchlab.org to coordinate that.
*Also know that TCL’s board has a running prayer list and we are praying for anyone and everyone that lets us know how we can be lifting you up! Email carrie@thechurchlab.org to let us know your needs and how you are.
b) Food access: We highly recommend giving to the Central Texas Food Bank, who is feeding a staggering and increasing number of folks in our community.
c) Marginalized communities: Refugees in Austin that are cared for by Casa Marianella are struggling with lost jobs and other steps they usually take to get on their feet. Casa Marianella is trying to help pay rents for immigrants and refugees in sudden hard times. They have a fundraiser specific to this cause, and you can donate to that here.
d) Marginalized communities: Folks experiencing chronic homelessness in Austin often work with Mobile Loaves and Fishes. Donating to this organization is giving a boost to folks advocating for some of our most vulnerable neighbors. They have also asked for specific items, which can be found on the linked website as well.
STATE / NATIONAL:
a) Border Kindness is an organization focused on helping vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers regardless of the season.
b) La Posada Providencia is a refugee shelter run by nuns of the Sisters of Divine Providence in San Benito, Texas. We have volunteered there before and recommend supporting them whenever you are able.
INTERNATIONAL
a) Some of the most vulnerable during this pandemic are folks in refugee camps around the world. We recommend checking out Beirut and Beyond as a highly localized non-profit seeking to help refugees durin this crisis.
LARGER ORGANIZATIONS:
If you’d like to give to larger organizations, we recommend:
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL MENU:
a) Austin’s local NPR station created this more comprehensive list of ways to both help and be helped. Check it out here!