Some of Austin’s favorite restaurants are coming together for a night of food, fundraising and community impact, all to help Central Texas students succeed.

Communities In Schools of Central Texas will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its signature fundraiser, Food for Thought, on Thursday, October 29, at ACL Live at the Moody Theater.

This year’s event, themed “Recipes for the Future,” will feature gourmet bites from 18 participating restaurants and culinary programs, along with a live auction benefiting students across Central Texas.

A taste of Austin for a good cause

Food for Thought brings together chefs and restaurants from across the Austin area, giving guests an opportunity to sample dishes while supporting a local nonprofit.

This year’s participating restaurants and culinary programs include:

– Brodie’s Worldwide

– Casa Fina

– Eberly

– Hays High School Culinary Arts

– Il Brutto

– La Condesa

– La Popular

– Mama Betty’s Tex Mex y Cantina

– Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill

– Parkside

– Serenade

– Sway Thai

– Swift’s Attic

– True Texas BBQ

– Tumble 22

– VERDAD True Modern Mexican

– Verbena

– Wu Chow

The event is presented by H-E-B and Steve and Virginia Visser.

Proceeds from ticket sales and the live auction will directly support Communities In Schools programs.

New award recognizes community impact

For the first time, Communities In Schools of Central Texas will present its Culinary Community Impact Award.

The inaugural honor will go to New Waterloo, an Austin-based independent hospitality company recognized for its community engagement and longtime partnership with the nonprofit.

The award celebrates hospitality businesses that create meaningful opportunities for local students and families.

“New Waterloo’s generosity, community-minded leadership, and longstanding partnership with Communities In Schools reflect the very best of Austin’s hospitality community,” said Grace Holland, chief development officer of Communities In Schools of Central Texas.

Holland said the company’s commitment to building partnerships and bringing people together helps strengthen the Central Texas community.

Helping students overcome challenges

Communities In Schools of Central Texas works directly inside schools to help students overcome challenges that could interfere with their education.

The nonprofit places trained program managers on campuses to connect students and families with resources and support.

That can include academic assistance, mental health services, college and career readiness, family engagement and help with basic needs.

For students facing challenges such as financial hardship, housing instability or mental health concerns, the organization works to provide consistent support so they can remain in school and achieve their goals.

Organizers say Food for Thought is both a celebration of the nonprofit’s impact and an opportunity for Central Texans to invest in the next generation.

How to attend Food for Thought 2026

What: Food for Thought 2026: Recipes for the Future

When: Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 6 p.m.

Where: ACL Live at the Moody Theater, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin

Tickets: Available through Communities In Schools of Central Texas.

Purchase tickets and learn more about Food for Thought: https://ciscentraltexas.org/foodforthought/

For more information about Communities In Schools of Central Texas and its student support programs, visit: https://ciscentraltexas.org/