Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner spend Thanksgiving with children

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are giving back this holiday season.

The former couple spent Thanksgiving volunteering, serving free meals to the homeless in Los Angeles when they went to homeless shelters The midnight mission‘s annual Thanksgiving Street Fair.

Affleck and Garner, both 52, were joined by their three children — Violet Anne, 18, Seraphina Rose, 15, and Samuel, 12 — at the event, with a source telling PEOPLE of the outing: “They really enjoy giving back to their community and cherish quality time together as a family.”

Every Thanksgiving, the non-profit organization “hosts a celebration for thousands of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Skid Row,” its website states, adding that the event includes a holiday meal and live entertainment.

Affleck and Garner – who split in 2015 after 10 years of marriage before finalizing their divorce three years later – appeared in good spirits as they joined the organisation’s chief executive, David Prentice, for a photo shared on Instagram.

The shelter captioned the post: “Today we were honored to have Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner join us for The Midnight Mission for Thanksgiving! Their kindness, warmth and dedication brought so much joy to our Skid Row community.”

“Thank you, Ben and Jennifer, for serving meals and sharing smiles on this special day. Your compassion reminds us all of the true meaning of Thanksgiving – coming together to support each other,” the message added.

Affleck and Garner had matching white Midnight Mission aprons in no time. They were also pictured with other volunteers including Sarah Paulson, Sasha Farber and Jenn Tran in additional photos on social media shared for non-profit purposes Instagram stories.

It’s certainly not the first time Affleck has shown his support for The Midnight Mission. The actor first learned about the organization, which has been in operation since 1914, through a parent at one of his children’s schools and has supported their efforts for years.

“I found that I get a lot out of giving a little of my time to other people. I don’t know if it helps them or not, but I know it’s helpful for me,” Affleck told PEOPLE in 2020.

The Midnight Mission serves anyone in need with a variety of programs that focus on education, recovery and workforce development.

Affleck added: “It’s easy to throw up your hands and say there’s nothing you can do.”

“But the truth is, there are people who want to make their lives better, who are struggling, who need help, and who you can benefit by doing a little bit yourself, giving a little bit of money or a little bit of time. It’s just a really powerful thing to do to be able to connect with people,” he said.

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The Oscar winner is currently in the middle of filming his upcoming film TEAR with pal Matt Damon, but made sure to take a break to celebrate Thanksgiving with her kids.

A source told PEOPLE earlier this week, “He’s very happy with life. He enjoys working. He wants to spend Thanksgiving with his kids.”

This was Affleck’s first Thanksgiving since wife Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce in August, with their separation date set for April 26 after less than two years of marriage.