Care for the Caravan event stops in Austin Sunday

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - Care for the Caravan, a traveling fundraiser hosted by the social justice group Buffalo Tree Presents, stopped in Austin Sunday. 

“It’s an attempt to raise awareness and to collect items in three stops, in Dallas [Saturday], with musical performances there. In Austin here [Sunday,] San Antonio [Sunday] evening.” said volunteer Olga Camposbenz.

The donation drive, rooted in the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, collects items for those seeking to enter the United States at the southern border. 

In March, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Kevin McAleenan said the agency has hit a "breaking point" with thousands seeking to enter the country each day at the southern border.

Those attending Care for the Caravan events were urged to donate money, phone cards, hygiene products and clothes. 

The Austin event took place at the Still Whiskey Company. 

“We’re combining what Austin is good at, live music, a little sipping, and care for others,” said Camposbenz while introducing Austin-based band The Tiarra Girls. 

The Tiarra Girls is comprised of three sisters: Tiffany, Tori and Sofia Baltierra. According to their website, the sisters are three-time Austin Music Award winners and Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders alumnae.

“I think we saw in this political atmosphere a lot of young people were coming out and saying things that they wanted to be changed and that they were passionate about so we used our talent which is music to… show others what we want to change in this world.” said Tori Baltierra.

On Monday, the donation drive will deliver the goods it has collected in McAllen.