It’s the season of giving! While you are making your lists and checking them twice, consider contributing to something local this year. As you know, many small businesses and restaurants have had to pivot and get creative while we navigate this difficult year. Be it gift cards to your favorite restaurant or buying directly from a local vineyard, you can make this season special while also supporting your community. Here, five ways to do good and give back.
Give To Essential Workers
While we wish we could thank each and every first responder personally, you can express your gratitude for those working the frontlines by sending them meals from local restaurants, dropping off sweet treats or donating to first responder funds like Austin’s The Seton Fund and Houston Frontline Fund. To find places in your community, reach out to your local hospital, nursing homes or fire station to get the details on what they need.
Help Local Initiatives
Many locals have stepped up to support their communities through food! Houston chef Chris Shepherd’s foundation, Southern Smoke, has distributed $4,056,025 to 2,056 people nationwide in the food and beverage industry since the beginning of COVID. San Antonio’s Joan Cheever of The Chow Train has prepared over 94,000 meals for the homeless, elderly, disabled and veterans in our community. Also, Daily Bread partners with over 100 ministries who help them distribute over 4 million pounds of food annually.
Support Your Restaurants
At Goodtaste, we are determined to support all of our restaurant friends and we hope you will join us. Many Texas restaurants have safely reopened their dining rooms, and others continue to offer unbelievable delivery and curbside pick-up options, including wine, beer and cocktails! This holiday season, we encourage you to continue to support your favorite local spots by ordering to-go, dine-in or gift cards. Find our list of local spots in Austin, San Antonio and Houston that are all open in some capacity, here! Also, check out this website that offers links to restaurants all over the state of Texas where you can buy gift cards.
Ship Texas Food Gifts
For your far-away friends and family who no longer live in Texas (but are missing some of their favorite Lone Star treats), many restaurants ship their most popular items nationwide! Think Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie from Goode Company in Houston, Hugo’s Hugoritas at home with this gift set, Sway’s house-made spices + sauces to-go, or San Antonio’s famous Mi Tierra’s classic tortilla soup.
Buy Local Wine and Craft Brews
Everyone loves a great bottle of wine and lucky us — there are so many superb local wineries tucked away in the Hill Country. One favorite is Becker Vineyards — their Chardonnay Reserve is one of Tanji’s go-to bottles. Or, if you’re shopping for a fan of craft brews, we have over 300 right here in Texas like The Karbach Brewing Co. Find some of our favorite Texas wines and beers on our site!
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