Ben Affleck and his ex-wife Jennifer Garner got together for Thanksgiving and spent the day with their three children, Violet (18), Seraphina (15) and Samuel (12). This was Ben’s first Thanksgiving without his estranged wife, Jennifer Lopez, as the actor is in the process of divorcing her.
The former couple, both 52, showed off their strong co-parenting bond by volunteering at the Midnight Mission in Los Angeles. Together with their children, they helped serve Thanksgiving brunch to more than 2,000 homeless people, highlighting the spirit of giving back during the holiday.
According to onlookers, Ben and Jennifer seemed comfortable and warm in each other’s company as they worked side by side. They wore matching aprons and greeted those they served with smiles, reflecting their shared values ​​of compassion and community service. Violet, who is currently a freshman at Yale, joined her family at the charity event, dressed casually in an orange hoodie and an N95 mask.
Jennifer kept her look simple and practical, wearing a navy blue sweater with her hair in a ponytail, while Ben opted for a relaxed outfit, pairing a brown button-down shirt with jeans.
Ben, who has supported the Midnight Mission for years, has often spoken about the satisfaction of volunteering. He once told People magazine that spending time helping others reminds him of the importance of small acts of kindness. “It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless, but there are people who want to change their lives and just need some support,” he said.
This year’s Thanksgiving was a notable change for Ben, as he spent the previous holiday with Jennifer Lopez. The family gathering was held at Jennifer Garner’s home, where her boyfriend, John Miller, was also present.
The day was bittersweet for Jennifer, as it came shortly after she announced the loss of her beloved dog, Birdie. In an emotional Instagram post, she shared how much Birdie, adopted after her divorce from Ben in 2015, meant to the family. She described Birdie as their “angel girl” and expressed her gratitude for the years of love and companionship they shared.
This Thanksgiving highlighted Ben and Jennifer’s continued commitment to co-parenting and creating meaningful experiences for their children, even in the midst of personal challenges.