4 San Antonio Charities That Could Use Your Help This Holiday Season

Operation Homefront
1355 Central Parkway S, Ste. 100
San Antonio, TX 78232
(210) 659-7756

Headquartered in San Antonio, Operation Homefront is a national charity that provides support for our country’s military veterans. They provide assistance for military families during tough financial times, help them recover from the injuries they suffer while serving, and provide recognition for extraordinary military members whose work goes unrecognized. Their charitable programs serve thousands of veterans across the country, and they’re ranked as one of the top charities in the city. You can support their efforts here.

San Antonio Humane Society
4804 Fredericksburg Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 226-7461

The San Antonio Humane Society has been sheltering, medically treating, and rehabilitating the animals of Bexar County since 1952. Each year, the Humane Society looks after approximately 5,000 animals that have been injured, abused, or abandoned until they’re ready for adoption. Even if you’re unable to adopt a pet, there are still many ways you can help out. You can become a volunteer dog walker, join the foster care program, or even just donate items found on their wishlist.

Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio
311 Probandt
San Antonio, TX 78204
(210) 223-5203

Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio is a nonprofit program that helps hardworking, low-income families build affordable houses for themselves. They don’t consider themselves a charity or a “handout” program, but rather just a nonprofit that helps families help themselves. Once a family is accepted, homeowners are eligible to buy a house from Habitat with a 20–25 year zero-percent interest mortgage, along with 300 hours of “sweat equity.” By the end of 2014, Habitat for Humanity will have built 897 Habitat homes in San Antonio. You can visit their volunteer page to learn more about their volunteer opportunities, and you can also make a monetary donation here.

SAMMinistries
5254 Blanco Road
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 340-0302

After a homeless man froze to death on the grounds of the First Presbyterian Church in 1981, volunteers knew something had to be done to help the growing homeless population. By 1983, 11 downtown congregations had joined forces to create the San Antonio Metropolitan Ministry. Today, SAMMinistries runs a number of programs designed to help homeless families and individuals become self-sufficient again. Whether it’s providing financial assistance or transitional housing, SAMMinistries is dedicated to helping San Antonio’s homeless escape poverty and live independently. You can support their efforts here.

At the end of day, it doesn’t matter how you’ve helped or who you’ve donated to, what matters is that you helped someone. It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday shopping frenzy and asking for presents, but the best part about the holidays is simply helping others and spreading joy.

Can you think of any other local charities that could use some extra holiday support? Please share them in the comments below!