When you drop off used shoes or clothes in one of those donation boxes at your local shopping center, you likely assume that your goods are going directly to help those in need. But a KPRC 2 investigation reveals a different reality: much of the clothing and shoes placed in these bins end up in the hands of for-profit businesses, with only a fraction of the proceeds reaching charity.

'Art of Soccer' started in 2019 when Space City was being considered as a host city. Now, with some games secured, it's back! Daniel Gotera, senior director of communications for the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority shares how Houston businesses and artists are teaming up to leave a lasting impact before it's soccer's time to shine in 2026.

As the Houston community gears up for Thanksgiving tomorrow, Super Feast is asking for donations to help feed people in need.

From lacing up a pair of combat boots, to their veteran-founded coffee shop partnership, learn all the ways you can help give back.

Fearless supporters of United Way of Greater Houston rappelled down the 26-story DoubleTree Hotel in the Galleria on Friday, raising funds for programs to help struggling families.

KPRC 2 and our Community partners are helping create a holiday “tree farm” event for pediatric cancer patients

Hurricane Helene roared through six states last week, leaving a 500-mile path of devastation in its wake.

The program features best-selling authors and members of the Bush family. Hear the stories of incredibly talented authors and how you can help the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation in its mission to improve literacy rates for children and adults.

Eight lucky Insiders will win a $50 gift card to Tim Hortons

Texans have raised more than $48 million since start of foundation in 2002

Charity softball tournament raises $7 million for charitable foundation

March 14th is Pi Day! We're celebrating with delicious pie from Proud Pie in Katy. They're known for their artisan pies and gourmet coffee. But, did you know their owner Scott Chapman, is also giving back to Texas charities through his one-of-a-kind guitars signed by musicians? Find out how he's giving back in the interview above.

The city's finest sommeliers are coming together to compete for the ultimate title of Iron Sommelier - and it's all for a great cause.

Cristina Schaefer and Carrie Bradshaw share their personal stories about overcoming a diagnosis to take back control of their lives and get back to doing what they love.

Goodwill Houston Golf Classic is a way to help Houstonians with job barriers to employment, and Derrick Shore got a chance to see how it changes lives.

It’s time to tee off for a great cause! Houston Informer Foundation Inc.’s “September-2-Remember Charity Golf Classic,” sponsored by H-E-B, is a poignant tribute to the pioneering Black newspaper publishers and history-makers who have left an indelible mark on society.

Shop our Amazon wish list with care package items hand-picked by NICU nurses

The Houston Texans, ConocoPhillips, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages and Ashley announced they will award $400,000 to local nonprofits and educational programs through the 2023 Inspire Change Grant.

Denny’s joined forces with two Houston-based organizations to give back to the community. The first of two events, Take Me Out to the Ballgame, was hosted by Sister 2 Sistah and the second event, Back 2 School Basketball Camp, took place on August 3.

The 'Ultimate Most Dopest Dodgeball Charity Challenge' will be held at Pitch 25 in EADO next Saturday afternoon.

A Houston non-profit organization that helps child cancer patients suffered a devastating setback after their storage unit was allegedly burglarized on Sunday.

The Foundation's mission is to provide educational opportunities that open minds, stimulate holistic perspectives, and inspire transformation, and three generations of women were present to share this vision.

The Foundation is celebrating 10 years of carrying out Barbara Bush’s mission to ensure all adults and children are given the opportunities needed to learn to read. You can help by supporting their many outreach programs including My Home Library, the UH Cougar Tutor program, Camp Adventure, the Curiosity Cruiser, Success Through Adult Reading, and George and Barbara Bush Family Places. To help, go to www.barbarabushhouston.org

Ladies in pink took over the Podium at Porsche River Oaks to celebrate the launch of Luxury Trending magazine – Houston issue, which features the 2022 Model of the Year Awards honorees.

How one family's loss of their daughter helped them create a foundation to continue her legacy of giving.

With some of the top restaurants in Houston represented, the Texans held their 13th annual Taste of the Texans charity event.

In Houston, KPRC 2 held an internal donation drive benefitting Gracewood, a non-profit full-service organization centered on empowering women.

One local survivor has teamed up with the American Cancer Society to help raise awareness and support within the community. Learn more about their upcoming events and how you can get involved.

Sutton Stracke, one of the stars of Bravo Tv’s reality hit show “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” hosted a pop-up trunk show in the heart of Memorial recently to benefit Trees of Hope.

Some of Houston's top celebrities are joining forces to challenge one another to an exciting game of dodgeball while helping support the charitable foundations.

Two days ahead of their Houston dodgeball charity challenge, former Houston Texans stars Justin Reid and Whitney Mercilus demonstrated some of their go-to dodgeball moves for our KPRC 2 Insiders.

Reliant not only helps keep the lights on, but also helps in giving back to the community.

Celebrities Money Man, J Mulan and Rich God are giving new meaning to the phrase “random acts of kindness,” blessing Houston kids with some fashionably-fly new gear for the holidays.

Help the annual Super Feast bring holiday cheer to thousands of Houston families.

Many children who attend Houston’s Christmas Eve Super Feast this year may go without toys.

A local charity needs the public’s help in its push to bring Christmas cheer to some 500 area children.

KPRC 2 and the American Cancer Society invite you to lace up and join us for the 2021 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.

“Fixer Upper” star and co-founder of Magnolia Network Chip Gaines clipped his signature mane for charity.

A clean pair of socks can make a big difference to a homeless person, especially during wintertime; that’s something a high school senior from Pearland understood at a very young age.

Houston Texans players Whitney Mercilus and Justin Reid teamed up to hold a charity dodgeball tournament with former Texan Chester Pitts and DJ Big Reeks.

HOUSTON – The nonprofit “Kids’ Meals” has been fighting hunger in Houston since 2016 providing free, healthy meals to preschool-aged children who live in extreme poverty. Beth Harp, executive director with Kids’ Meals, Inc., explained how the community can help them restock to aid those in dire need. Kids' Meals, Inc. (Kids' Meals, Inc.)Kids’ Meals lost all meat, cheese, milk, juice, and much of its bread and need help to resume delivery of 6,400 meals on Monday. We have been desperately trying to get the word out and raise funds in order to get new food supplies. You can donate here: https://www.giveffect.com/checkout/4136 Posted by Kids' Meals, Inc. on Thursday, February 18, 2021To donate or volunteer to Kids’ Meals, click here.

They said more and more families need assistance and fewer families are able to donate this time of year. As millions of Americans spent the last several days shopping for the holiday season, millions of families continue to struggle. It all adds up.”If you donate to these charities through their Facebook pages, Facebook will match $7 million in donations on Giving Tuesday. You can find the Salvation Army’s Facebook page here and the Northwest Assistance Ministries Facebook page here. You can find lists of other charities in the Houston area that are in need of help here and here.

Taking place on Dec. 1 this year, many local organizations in the Houston area are gearing up to respond to increased economical need. Houstonians can volunteer their time, or donate gifts or money to any local cause. Here are local organizations you can donate to on Giving Tuesday. Serving 18 counties in the Houston-area, the Houston Food Bank has helped over one million people who are food insecure. Over 60 locations and serving 600,000 people in the Houston region, BakerRipley serves as a community center for low-income families, providing important information and opportunities to succeed in life.

HOUSTON – James Harden has been an MVP on the court for the Rockets for the past eight years. Harden has been an avid and faithful supporter of a number of community organizations and non-profits like the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston. “He’s genuine and authentic and that’s what he displayed with the kids,” said Kevin Hattery, president and CEO of the local Boys Club. Hattery said Harden’s status as a Boys Club alum helped establish the connection. From when he was a child to where he is today in being a fantastic aspiration for many kids today,” Hattery said.

HOUSTON – If there’s one holiday that the Houston Life team loves to celebrate, it’s National Happy Hour Day! When that happy hour bell rings later, stop by Eighteen36 in River Oaks to try some of their craft cocktails for a cause. A portion of the proceeds will help us support Candlelighters, a Houston based non-profit that helps support the families of children with cancer. Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance was founded by families of children with cancer FOR families of children with cancer; to be a light in the darkness. They help provide emotional, educational, and practical support to families of children with cancer.

HOUSTON – The Texas Medical Center offers some of the best advancements in medicine. “If your treatment is for two months, three months, four months, six months, that just adds to the financial stress of being sick,” said Yannick Thomas, founder of Patient Housing Assistance (PHA). Ronald McDonald House - HoustonHope Lodge is for cancer patientsHope Cancer Retreat is located in Splendora for cancer patients. Nora’s Home is located in the Texas Medical Center for transplant patients and their families. In Spirit Patient Housing provides affordable apartments to people traveling to the Texas Medical Center for medical treatment and their friends or families.

HOUSTON – Lots of charities across the Houston area are really starting to feel the strain of the coronavirus pandemic. Many are seeing a huge increase in need but a decrease in donations, putting many charities in a really tough spot, especially this time of year. Whataburger and the Houston Texans raised more than $140,000 for the Houston Food Bank. Catholic Charities is seeing a drop in donations but a huge increase in need as well. Here are links with more information if you’re interested:- Houston Children Charity- Houston Food Bank- GCCSA Inc- Catholic CharitiesFor more charities in need click here.

Once the home team scores its first goal of the game, fans unleash the teddy bears by throwing them over the glass and onto the ice. If it's a packed game and fans know about the toss, teddy bears will fly onto the ice for several minutes. The teddy bear toss has become so popular in some areas, that world records have been broken. The previous record for the Teddy Bear Toss was set in 2015 by fans of the Calgary Hitmen with 28,815 stuffed animals. The Hershey Bears collected 25,017 stuffed animals at their 2017 Teddy Bear Toss, but absolutely crushed their record with 34,798 stuffed animals in 2018.

Meet the Sugar Land mom delivering hope one pair of shoes at a time | HOUSTON LIFE | KPRC 2Published: September 1, 2020, 3:45 pmA Sugar Land woman is on a mission to help those in need this back-to-school season, one step at time. Stacy Bourgeois, CEO and founder of Sole Loved, shared details on her inspiring non-profit and how we can help.

There are already several ways you can help those who are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. Health-focused relief help with AmericaresOne organization is organizing help for impacted health care centers. Please join us as we help our neighbors in E Texas & Louisiana who are affected by Hurricane Laura. How can I help hurricane victims? Before making a donation, we recommend everyone research charities that are soliciting donations for Hurricane Laura relief efforts.

HOUSTON Wine Club Wednesday returns with bottles that give back to Houston causes. Nice Winery is a small, family-owned winery right here in Houston that loves to make wine and help the community in the process. 2019 NICE WINERY ARIANA - $242019 NICE WINERY 'ARIANA' (2019 NICE WINERY 'ARIANA')All sales support the work of the OpHeart Foundation, a local charity serving infants born with congenital heart defect. 2019 NICE ROSE - $302019 NICE ROSE (2019 NICE ROSE)Every bottle sold benefits The Emma Jacobs Breast Cancer Foundation. This year, sales will help fund the establishment of Houston's first ever sustainable wine grape farm in the Houston city limits, The Nice Winery.

Meet the Broadway actor who set up a virtual piano bar in Houston for charity | HOUSTON LIFE | KPRC 2Published: May 1, 2020, 2:12 pmThis quarantine, Broadway actor Ben Chavez has been entertaining music lovers by performing popular tunes from his living room in Houston. And he turned this fun activity into a virtual piano bar on Instagram to help those in need. He shared with Houston Life more details about this amazing way to give back to the community.

HOUSTON – For more than a decade ‘Comfort Dogs’ have quietly brought compassion and grace to some of our country’s worst tragedies. He said the idea for ‘Comfort Dogs’ was born out of the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. “The comfort dog ministry is about bringing comfort and relief and mercy to people who are suffering,” said Hetzner. Comfort Dogs also cater to first responders and members of the military. More information about the Comfort Dog Ministry can be found here.

HOUSTON – United Airlines on Wednesday came to the aid of the Houston Food Bank which was forced to throw out massive amounts of food last week after a cooler malfunctioned. Officials at the food bank said a fan in a 30,000-square-foot cooler broke and caused an ammonia leak. “So, when you think of a semi-truck, the big trucks that you see on the highway, on average about 20 pallets fit in each of those trucks.”Officials at United Airlines said the company would match up to $100,000 in individual donations to the food bank. United MileagePlus members who donate $50 or more will receive up to 1,000 award miles for their donation, officials said. “United values the Houston Food Bank as a strong community partner and we understand that they serve as an important lifeline to so many Houstonians, especially around the holidays,” said Rodney Cox, United’s vice president for Houston hub operations.

HOUSTON – Last week, a 30,000-square-foot cooler at the Houston Food Bank in east Houston was filled with much-needed produce and other perishables. It now sits empty after a mechanical issue caused the bank to toss the 1.8 million pounds of food that were kept inside. According to the Houston food bank, the cost of the food disposal and replacement and clean-up of the affected areas will cost about $3 million. An evaporator fan broke and punctured a pipe filled with ammonia, which is used to keep the large cooling areas at the food bank cold. For more information on how you can help visit the Houston Food Bank website.