Festival lines up fun to help homeless

AUSTIN (KXAN) - An organization geared toward helping the homeless community is asking families to come out and support its second annual Family Festival -- all in an effort to lend a helping hand to the homeless.

The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition , or ECHO, says homelessness affects us all. ECHO supporters want the community to know that they're the place to go when neighbors want to try and make an impact.

ECHO is hosting its Family Festival this weekend, which will have interactive stations for kids where they can work on crafts and hygiene kits. That's all benefiting local nonprofits and the homeless clients they serve.

Festival organizers said children will be able to learn more about the impact they are making with their small act. In additions, organizers said parents can network with nonprofit organizations and learn how to talk with their children about the homelessness problem.

Festivities will include face painting, live entertainment, cupcakes, popcorn, nachos, hot dogs and other family snacking favorites.

The ECHO Family Festival is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church Family Center, located at 126 W. Oltorf St. ECHO suggests a $5 donation for every family to attend the event.

ECHO asks that attendees RSVP to the event on its Facebook page.

The following weekend, Saturday, Nov. 17, ECHO will hold its annual "Homeless Resource Fair" which will provide attendees with medical services, referrals to social service agencies, legal assistance, haircuts, food, and much more.

The fair is at Austin State Hospital , located at 4110 Guadalupe, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event was formerly known as "Stand Down."