Two Austin retailers are looking to give back on Wednesday ahead of Thanksgiving.

Runnings farm and outdoor store and Sears Hometown will both be giving back to charitable groups.

Runnings

Shopping at Runnings the day before Thanksgiving will help feed those in need this Thanksgiving and throughout the Holiday season. The Runnings Give N’ Take promotion will take place in all 39 Runnings stores this Wednesday. Customers can bring in at least one non-perishable item to any Runnings. All items will then be donated to a food shelf in the area. Runnings customers who donate at least one item will receive a scratch off ticket worth for a chance to win a variety of prizes including Runnings gift cards and discounts to use this Holiday season.

“Hunger takes a heavy toll on certain members of most communities,” said Runnings owner Dennis Reed said in a press release. “We wanted to do something special to help support food shelves who are so very important in aiding people who are in need all year long, but especially at this time of year.”

According to Hunger in America.org, 1 in 6 people in America face hunger. In addition to the donations from Runnings customers, Runnings and our team members will also be make food donations.

Runnings is not open on Thanksgiving, but it opens at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.

Sears Hometown

To kickoff its first Thanksgiving shopping week at its new location at 1301 18th Ave. NW Sears Hometown is holding Wish Wednesday sale from 5 to 8 p.m. Anyone who donates $5 or more to Make-A-Wish will be able to take advantage of Thanksgiving deals a day earlier.

Then the store will open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

“Wednesday and Thursday will probably be our two biggest days,” owner Cory Squier said.

The store reopens from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday before returning to normal store hours the rest of the weekend.

Wish Wednesday was held last year, but Squier and Sears are looking to expand the event.

Austin’s Sears Hometown is one of about 1,200 stores in the country and most are working on the drive. While the main Hometown office set Austin’s goal at $400, it’s already raised more than $150 and Squier would like to get closer to $800.

Customers donate to Wish Wednesday and Make-A-Wish to get their Wednesday pass that day or leading up to the event. As for popular items, Sears typically has deals on appliances like washers and driers, along with deals on tool sets. Squier said they have some new tool sets out that he expects will be popular.

Customers who donate $5 to Make-A-Wish from Nov. 19-22 or Dec. 10-13 will receive a $10 Award Card to be used toward a future purchase; valid Dec. 3-9 or Dec. 26-31, respectively.