Current Service Activities
Swami’s message on Service
Service to man is service to God. True service springs from selflessness and love. When you engage in community service, do it with a heart full of compassion, without expectation of reward, and with the awareness that you are serving the Divine in every being
Ongoing Service Activities
The Austin Sai Center actively engages in a variety of service activities to support the community. Our efforts primarily focus on food assistance, healthcare, social care, environmental care, and education. We offer numerous opportunities for volunteers to get involved in these initiatives, allowing them to contribute meaningfully. In collaboration with several local NGOs, we deliver services to the community through multiple channels. Most of our activities are scheduled on weekends, with sign-ups available for both volunteering and supply donations. We keep everyone informed through regular updates via WhatsApp channels and weekly newsletters. Please contact our service coordinator Balaji Krishnamurthy at service2023.asc@gmail.com for any questions on center service activities.
Food Assistance:
With Swami’s divine will, Austin Sai center, supports the residents of Common Ground ATX by providing home-prepared burritos and sandwiches. While government-operated kitchens supply them with meals during the week, these services are unavailable on weekends. To bridge this gap, we serve breakfast (sandwiches) and lunch (burritos) to over 100 residents, including a dedicated breakfast service every Sunday. If you’re interested in helping with food preparation or delivery, please fill out the sign-up form to get involved. Your participation will make a meaningful difference!
- Saturday Sandwich Weekly Sign up link
- Saturday Burrito Weekly sign up link
- Sunday Breakfast Weekly sign up link
- Service Wing Whatsapp Link
Grocery Donation:
With Swami’s love, Austin Sai center assists a refugee family of 11 members by providing weekly and monthly grocery donations. With only one earning member and several children attending school, their income is insufficient to meet their grocery needs. To support them, we organize regular grocery deliveries on a weekly and monthly basis. If you are interested in volunteering for grocery donation or delivery, please update your sign-up to participate and make a meaningful impact in their lives.
Central Market and HEB Bakery Pick-Up:
With Swami’s guidance, every Saturday morning, Central Market and HEB in Austin donate food supplies that are no longer eligible for shelf placement but are still safe for immediate consumption. Our volunteers collect these supplies and deliver them to Common Ground ATX and a local church. If you are interested in volunteering for this service, your task will involve arriving by 6:30 AM to pick up the supplies and delivering them to the designated locations. Use the sign-up link to participate and help reduce food waste while supporting the community.
Medical Care
Blood Donation Drive:
With Swami’s infinite love, the Austin Sai Center partners with We Are Blood to host a blood donation drive every three months. Sign-ups open each quarter, and details will be shared through our weekly newsletter. The We Are Blood team brings their mobile donation van to our ASH facility, where the drive takes place for four hours on Sundays, coinciding with our devotional service. If you are interested in donating but unsure about your eligibility, please refer to the provided resources for guidance. Keep an eye on our updates to participate and help save lives through your generous contribution of liquid love!
- Next sign up link is for Nov 23, 2024 (Link will be updated soon)
Hygiene Kit Distribution:
With Swami’s grace, The Austin Sai Center collaborates with the Volunteer Health Clinic to conduct women’s wellness check-ups twice a year. These sessions are led by our volunteer doctors on scheduled Saturdays or Sundays. During the check-ups, we also distribute wellness kits to women in need. Each kit includes essentials such as sanitary pads, combs, shampoo, first-aid supplies, socks, body cream, and more. If you’d like to support this initiative, stay tuned for upcoming dates and opportunities to volunteer or contribute supplies. Your involvement helps promote health and dignity for women in our community.
- Next sign up link in April 2025
Bagdad Elementary Medical Camp:
With Swami’s grace, The Austin Sai Center partners with Bagdad Elementary School in Leander to organize medical camps for deserving families twice a year, or as needed. These camps provide wellness check-ups for children and families in the surrounding community, ensuring access to essential healthcare services. Stay connected through our newsletters for upcoming camp dates and volunteer opportunities. Your participation helps promote health and well-being for families in need.
Socio care
Restarter kits for men:
Twice a year, the Austin Sai Center collects items for the residents of Common Ground ATX, primarily supporting men in need. We organize sign-ups for items such as bathroom shoes, towels, belts, wallets, hair combs, picks, waist belts, and inner garments. Additionally, we gather hygiene essentials like bath soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and shampoo. These supplies are collected and handed off for distribution to the residents, promoting personal hygiene and dignity. If you’d like to contribute items or assist with the collection, please use the sign-up link. Your participation in this small effort makes a meaningful difference in improving lives.
- Look out for our next sign up link in Dec 2024
- Service Wing Whatsapp Link
ASH BIRTHDAY celebration:
With Swami’s divine grace, Austin Sai center was able to restart the Birthday celebrations for the members of the ASH (Austin State Hospital), after a break of 2+ years due to covid. This service activity involves celebrating the birthday of the members of the ASH facility during their birthday month. Every 4th friday of the month, about 5 to 10 members of the Austin sai center, visit the facility with birthday gifts(about 10 gifts every month), light snacks, cake and a karaoke box to spend the evening with challenged members of the ASH facility. This seva gives opportunity to all the members who participate a sense of humbleness and satisfaction in making someone feel good about themselves.