This years charity

Keep Austin Fed

This year's Charity: Keep Austin Fed

​Message from Jettie Collins

Hello, my name is Jettie Collins, and I’m the proud Undersecretary of Outreach. I’m forever grateful to be a part of the Austin High Model United Nations program, a program so supportive and passionate about the future. I am honored to announce our selected charity for the 2025 AUSMUN conference, Keep Austin Fed!

Keep Austin Fed is a local nonprofit dedicated to reducing hunger and protecting the environment by offering surplus food to neighbors in need. Founded in 2004 after its founder redeemed high-quality catered food from being discarded, the organization now saves thousands of meals each month from going to our landfills and redistributes them to individuals and families facing food insecurity. Keep Austin Fed works alongside shelters, affordable housing communities, organizations serving older adults, refugees, food pantries, and people with disabilities. The organization strives not only to supply nutritious food but also to decrease methane emissions caused by food waste. They also hold weekly grocery giveaways to reach out to deprived individuals directly. Through secure partnerships, devoted volunteers, and a focus on sustainable impact, Keep Austin Fed is helping Austin communities prosper while addressing the far-reaching implications of food waste.

Visit Keep Austin Fed to learn more about its impact on our community. There are many ways to get connected with Keep Austin Fed, such as Volunteering or Donating Food. Supporting food security and sustainability will forever be a vital pillar of the Austin community. Austin High Model United Nations is proud to support Keep Austin Fed during this year’s AUSMUN conference.

Best,

Jettie Collins

Undersecretary of Outreach

This year, we are running a donation drive on the day of AUSMUN, which is to provide supplies to a local Immigrant service, ‘Casa Mareniella’. Casa Marniella is a group of shelters throughout Austin that focuses on the specific needs of local Hispanic immigrants, including at-risk adults, single mothers, and families. AUSMUN 2025 is working to foster a self-sustaining generation by using our vast community to provide the tools and means for success where we can.

Supplies like backpacks, books, and stationery make it possible for these kids to participate actively in school, keep up with homework, and enjoy creative activities. These items directly impact kids’ academic success while staying at any one of Casa Marniella shelters by ensuring children have the tools, stability, and opportunity to learn and thrive; Working to bridge a prominent gap in academics. After-school tutoring, homework help, and enrichment programs — supported by donations — give extra support to students who may be learning English or recovering from recent trauma.

Practical donations such as clothing, diapers, and bedding also remove barriers to classroom participation by helping families create a safe home environment.

Overall, the following list was compiled specifically for the direct needs of the family and children's shelters run by Casa Marianella, which will support the large community of underprivileged immigrant children in the Austin community.

All donations can be dropped off at the Keep Austin Fed booth located directly across from our registration table.

The list is based on their latest public wishlists and requests, with a focus on resources for kids’ learning and development.

- Backpacks (new/gently used)

- Children’s books (all reading levels, Spanish and English)

- Wired headphones for online learning

- Gift cards (HEB, Target, Visa, Amazon)

- New underwear and socks (kids' sizes)

- Diapers (sizes 3, 4, 5, 6)

- Baby wipes

- Twin and queen bed sheets

- Towels

- Laundry detergent pods

- Coloring books

- Crayons

- Markers

- Lined notebook paper

- Safety scissors

- Ruled notebooks

- Ink pens

- Pencils

- Reusable Water bottles (flip-top or straw lids)

- Board games and puzzles

- Scotch tape

- Clorox

- Paint

- Glue sticks

- Construction paper

- Colored pencils