Welcome to the Archives of Austin AHH

We will be phasing this page out as we transition the posts here to the new blog.

Here you'll find details about our past giveaways including: pictures, number of folks helped, organizations that aided Austin AHH, and other notable information. (As this site is relatively new, we'll include the history from the end of 2016 forward. For giveaways further in the past, visit our Facebook page). Use the links below to jump to a section:

September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016

 

September 24, 2017

Our 8th Anniversary giveaway went amazingly. We could not have a better group of volunteers in this effort and we are lucky to have you all!!!! Y'all make what we do possible and have no idea how much we love you!!

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In all, there were over 160 recipients that went through our lines for toiletries, clothing, feminine hygiene, bras, and snacks. Our celebratory cookies and Kool-Aid Jammers went over very well. Bug spray was a much-requested item, and, luckily for us, one of our favorite volunteers had some to distribute.

The amazing Support the Girls - Austin provided all of the feminine hygiene products and bras that we needed for this giveaway (and we have plenty enough for next month, too).

Our clothing isle was picked through quite thoroughly. In addition to clothing provided by volunteers, some of the clothing was also provided by the Airman's Attic on Lackland Air Force Base.

Donations for this giveaway poured in from all over the place, including England and Holland! A big thank you to Friendly Atheist,  The Atheist Experience show, Foundation Beyond Belief, and United Coalition of Reason for the shout outs (whether in Facebook posts, articles, or on podcasts) which no doubt aided us in this effort. We had packages that were sent to the Atheist Community of Austin Library, our PO box was overflowing with boxes, and several people that could not personally attend the giveaway made drop-offs of supplies.

The October giveaway date will be announced soon and there is a lot of inventorying to do. Our website and our Facebook page will be updated soon to reflect the next date and what items are needed, but donations can be made at our website any time.

 

August 13, 2017

We were one of many groups helping out folks today, but we were still able to help about 100 people with clothing and supplies.

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Thanks SO much for all the donations that were made to make this giveaway possible.

The weather was kind to us with cooler weather and low humidity; with that, 21 volunteers came out to aid our friends and neighbors in our community.
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Since there was another large group out in the same area helping our friends and neighbors, we have a decent supply of many of our staple items going into the next giveaway.  That said, that will allow us to target special items for next month that we do not normally get to include like reading glasses and batteries. As always, we have to give a very special shout-out to Support the Girls - Austin for supplying most of the feminine hygiene products for this month.

New faces were there to help us distribute items from the Atheist Community of Austin and there were a healthy amount of clothing donations received.  Two tables were used to hold it all, and even with refilling it constantly, we had some leftover for next month.

Our next giveaway, on September ​24th, will be our 8th anniversary celebration.  In that vein, the community we serve can expect a little something sweet with their items :-)

 

July 23, 2017

Our Biggest Giveaway (for any AHH chapter)!!

Over 220 people were helped in just over an hour today in the largest giveaway we have ever been a part of.  Thanks so much to everyone who came out (and a special thank you to folks who sent in donations but could not make it out themselves); volunteers are what makes this possible and the 22 today did just that.

Whether it was the intense Texas heat day after day or the humidity, we have never had so many folks.  So many, in fact, that we ran out of orange juice and water altogether before reaching the end of the line.  For next month, we are going raise our standard of preparing for 175-185 recipients to at least 200; this includes stocking all staple supplies (tooth brushes/pastes, razors, shampoo, etc.) to cover as many folks as are looking for aid.

​A special thank you, as always, to Support the Girls - Austin for providing the feminine hygiene products for this giveaway.  Also, a local organization called Our Way joined in to help give out bags of items.  In addition, a few folks from the Atheist Community of Austin came out to help distribute things, too!

Our clothing isle was stocked thanks, in part, to donations received from the Airman's Attic on Lackland Air Force Base.  It was picked over pretty quickly, for sure.

As the Texas summer heat continues, necessary items like water, sunscreen and hats will continue to be popular items to our recipients.  We look forward to continue doing our small part to aid those in our community in whatever way we are able.

 

June 25, 2017

It was a warm and humid morning, but that didn't stop our 24 volunteers from coming out to help. Shout-out to the first timers!!! Together, we were able to help about 150 people today with toiletries, hygiene supplies, and ice cold drinks to try to beat this Texas heat.

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Thanks SO much for all the donations that were made to make this giveaway possible.

We had an over abundance of clothes on offer (so much so that two tables were needed to even attempt to contain them all *spoiler- they didn't*).  A very special shout-out to Support the Girls - Austin for supplying a HUGE quantity of feminine hygiene products for this month and next month. Also, the Austin Humanists at Work helped out with some hygiene kits too!!!

We had a recipient preach at us before we started the main giveaway. Detailing that we are going to hell, threatening punishment, and other things. This does happen from time to time, our volunteers handled it well, and it lets us see that there is still some work for us to do.

We would like to say that this is one of the reasons that we do what we do. We have no agenda except to provide assistance where we can, and we do so identifying as atheists because it challenges the preconceived notions that people have about non-believers. We look forward to breaking barriers and shattering expectations with everyone in the future, one giveaway at a time.

The July giveaway date will be announced soon so keep an eye out!

 

May 14, 2017

Our Mother's Day giveaway went off without a hitch!!! 

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Thanks so much to our volunteers that provided flowers and treats to celebrate the occasion for our recipients. It was a blast and we received a lot of positive feedback for doing so.

We were able to help about 175 folks, in addition to feeding their four-legged friends (shout-out to Dixie for that). We had a few volunteers that had to leave early to head to the Austin Oasis meeting, but, in total, there were 24 folks helping to distribute items.

​A very big shout out to Support the Girls - Austin for providing 500 products for feminine hygiene and bras.  They donate not just to us, but to many organizations focused on girls/women who are low-income or experiencing homelessness.

2 large bags of clothes were picked clean in a matter of minutes. Thanks again to all the people who donated, both near and far.  

 

April 30, 2017

What a day today! There were about 200 folks that received items for this April giveaway!!!! 

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17 Austin Atheists Helping the Homeless volunteers came out to help our friends and neighbors in need in Austin, TX. In addition to the regular toiletries, water, fruit, crackers, toilet tissue, etc., we distributed about 2 large bags of clothes (which flew off the tables). 

Feminine hygiene products were provided, in part, by the Support the Girls - Austin organization, a group dedicated to providing assistance to women who are low-income or experiencing homelessness.

We also had a few folks from the Secular Student Alliance @ UT Austin, Atheist Community of Austin members, Secular Austin and Austin Oasis show up to help with the giveaway.  

 

March 19, 2017

Another great giveaway in March 2017. About 160 were helped!!

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We had quite a few new faces join us for this giveaway; about 20 volunteers in all helped to distribute items (though not everyone could stay for the picture at the end).   In addition to our regular toiletries, we disbursed about 2 trash bags worth of clothing and shoes.

Of special note, the organization Support the Girls - Austin donated lots of bras in various sizes as well as feminine hygiene products to distribute.  This went a long way to help address a particular need that is really overlooked and was quite invaluable. To learn more about them and how they aid Austin's low-income and homeless populations or to get involved, visit their local Austin chapter page here or visit the parent website here.

 

February 26, 2017

For our February 2017 giveaway, we served over 150 people!!

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We had a total of 18 volunteers that donated items and/or time to lend a helping hand to our community. We went through 4 bags of donated clothes, including some nicer women's clothes and shoes (thanks to you know who you are).  A big shout out to the Atheist Community of Austin where several of their members donated toothbrushes and hotel-sized disposables. 

Also, the Secular Student Alliance @ UT Austin came out to assist with the giveaway.  Thanks guys!!!

 

January 29, 2017

At least 145 folks were helped (we lost count in the 2nd wave) over an hour and a half.

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This giveaway was a bit unique. Rather than having a "clothing island" separate from the main item line that we have at the same time, we received SO many clothes (about 7 large trash bags worth) that we split the giveaway in 2 waves. The 1st was our normal toiletries; we then reset the primary line and used the 5 tables to distribute clothing.

A special shout out to Beth Presswood and Matt Dillahunty for donating knitted hats; they were gone in less than [literally] 2 minutes. Also, a few members of the Atheist Community of Austin donated items at the library (thanks, ya'll)!!

 

December 11, 2016

Success in Austin, TX again today. There were about 130 people helped in a little over an hour.

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It was beautiful weather for this giveaway (unseasonably warm for this time of year).  ​For the first time in a while, we had a volunteer donate dog food for the 4-legged companions of recipients so shout out to Dixie for bringing that.

Also, we had a few new faces coming out to volunteer, which was awesome.