The Maxwell Locke & Ritter Community Committee wrapped up the year with a powerful effort to support individuals experiencing homelessness, partnering with the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center to provide essential winter support for individuals experiencing homelessness in Austin. Sunrise provides daily meals, critical services, and a safe and welcoming space for our neighbors in need, and we are proud to support their mission.

On Friday, December 12, team members gathered to assemble two types of critical support kits for Sunrise:

  • Cold Weather Kits, which included blankets, hats, gloves, socks, and heat packs
  • Meals-in-a-Bag, ready-to-eat meal sets that can be prepared with or without access to a stove

Thanks to the generosity and engagement of our team, ML&R created 120 ready-to-eat meals-in-a-bag and cold weather kits for 72 people in our community. These kits helped fill nutritional gaps, offered warmth, and delivered comfort to individuals who often face the harshest conditions during winter months.

Kate Williams, partner and chair of the Community Committee, shared her appreciation for the firm’s dedication to serving others. “Community is at the heart of who we are at ML&R. Seeing our team come together with such enthusiasm and generosity reminds me of the incredible impact we can make when we work with intention and care.”

Shannon Peterson, partner and long-time champion of the firm’s service initiatives, echoed that sentiment. “It is inspiring to watch our team step forward to support our neighbors in meaningful ways. Sunrise does life-changing work, and I am proud that ML&R helped extend comfort, nourishment, and dignity to those who need it most during the winter season.”

This event served as a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together. We are grateful to everyone who participated, helped assemble kits, or supported the preparation efforts behind the scenes. Because of you, dozens of people in our community received warmth, nourishment, and dignity during a challenging time of year.

About Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center

Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center is an Austin-based nonprofit that provides daily meals, essential hygiene services, case management, and community support to individuals experiencing homelessness. Sunrise focuses on meeting people where they are, offering consistent care through breakfast service, mail access, showers, laundry, mental health resources, and assistance connecting to long-term housing solutions. The organization’s mission centers on restoring dignity, reducing barriers, and building pathways toward stability for every neighbor who walks through their doors.