Ben Affleck was seen friendly with his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, as he spent his first Thanksgiving without his ex-wife, Jennifer Lopez, with her and their three children.
On Thursday, the former couple, who share children Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12, reunited to volunteer at Midnight Mission.
Along with their children, the stars teamed up to help feed 2,000 homeless or nearly homeless people in downtown Los Angeles during the nonprofit’s annual Thanksgiving brunch.
As they lent a hand, the actress and two-time Oscar winner, both 52, could be seen whispering to each other and wearing matching aprons.
They both seemed in high spirits as they served their community with a smile.
A witness told DailyMail.com that they spent three hours there.
Ben Affleck was seen friendly with his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, as he spent his first Thanksgiving without his ex-wife, Jennifer Lopez, with her and their three children.
For the occasion, the Alias alum wore her long brown hair in a high ponytail and a navy blue sweater.
Affleck wore a brown button-down shirt and stayed close to Garner and his children, including Violet, who was wearing an orange hoodie and an N95 mask.
Earlier this year, Violet, who began her freshman year at Yale earlier this year, revealed that she contracted a “post-viral condition” in 2019.
In 2020, Affleck took to Instagram to congratulate the organization by recognizing Midnight Mission’s commitment to helping “those in need with housing, training, development and recovery.”
He previously told People who learned about Midnight Mission through a parent at one of his children’s schools.
‘I discovered that I get a lot of benefit from giving a little of my time to other people. “I don’t know if it helps them or not, but I know it’s useful for me,” he told the outlet.
“It’s easy to throw up your hands and say there’s nothing you can do,” Affleck said at the time. “But the truth is that there are people who want to improve their lives, who are struggling, who need help and who you can benefit by even doing a little bit, donating a little money or a little time.” It’s a really powerful thing to be able to connect with people.”
He said his experience working with the organization “has been really positive and rewarding.”
On Thursday, the former couple, who share children Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12, reunited to volunteer at Midnight Mission.
Along with their children, the couple teamed up to help feed 2,000 homeless and near-homeless people in downtown Los Angeles during the nonprofit’s annual Thanksgiving brunch.
Affleck’s sighting comes a day after DailyMail.com reported that he would be spending the holiday with Garner, her three children and her boyfriend John Miller.
“Ben and Jen are looking forward to today and Ben is anticipating a relaxing day filled with food and football before having to get back to work on the film,” a source told DailyMail.com exclusively.
“Thanksgiving is all about no drama when it comes to Ben, it will be low key, just good vibes and Jen is on board to make today as easy as possible.”
A second source said he was convinced nothing would stand in the way of the “meaningful party” being held at Garner’s home with Miller, whom she has been dating on and off since 2018.
The businessman had previously voiced his complaints about his involvement in Affleck’s marital struggles with Lopez, but now there is “nothing but love and appreciation” between them all.
“Thanksgiving is a very meaningful holiday for them to spend together before the chaos of the holiday season hits,” the source said.
‘Jen’s boyfriend is often included and there is never any problem as they all have nothing but love and appreciation for each other.
“And yes, Jen Garner and the kids make Thanksgiving dinner without outside help.”
Affleck, who spent this past Thanksgiving with Lopez, will no doubt be on hand to help comfort Garner, who announced the heartbreaking news that her nine-year-old golden retriever Birdie had died.
Affleck and Garner finalized their divorce in October 2018, three years after initially separating; seen in 2011
Affleck is currently in the process of divorcing Lopez after two years of marriage; seen in 2023
The actress paid tribute to her beloved pet, which she acquired just after her split from Affleck in 2015.
“She lived a happy dog life and now plays the role she was born to play: angel girl,” she told her Instagram followers on Wednesday. “It is a gift to love and be loved by a creature like Birdie the Doggie.”
Reports emerged last week that tensions were brewing between her and Lopez, despite the former taking on the role of ‘marriage counselor’ during Affleck’s split from the singer.
Sources at the time said he had now decided to distance himself from the On the Floor hitmaker and does not want to have any “communication” with her “unless it is with the children.”
“Her friends feel she shouldn’t have allowed herself to get so involved in helping JLo fix her marriage to Ben,” the source said.
Affleck, who spent this past Thanksgiving with Lopez, will no doubt be on hand to help comfort Garner, who announced the heartbreaking news that her nine-year-old golden retriever, Birdie, had died.
‘Especially considering that Jen felt at odds with JLo at times during her own marriage. Jen is very kind and really wanted to help, so she tried.
Earlier this year, DailyMail.com was told that Miller was tired of Garner seeing it as her responsibility to help “fix” her ex-husband’s beleaguered marriage.
‘Especially considering that Jen felt at odds with JLo at times during her own marriage. Jen is very kind and really wanted to help, so she tried.
“John wants nothing more than for Ben to be okay, but it’s not his girlfriend’s responsibility to babysit him,” a source said at the time.
Ben has to figure that out on his own and his wife has to take care of it. It’s not Jen’s responsibility and he has told her that.
They added that Affleck was aware of being a “burden” and was trying to avoid talking about his marital breakdown with Garner.
Garner and Affleck have remained friendly since their split (seen June 2024)
Their eldest daughter, Violet, (seen above with her mother) turned 18 in December 2023.
Affleck photographed with his younger Samuel in November 2024
Garner and Affleck married in 2005, but their divorce was finalized in 2018 after 13 years of marriage.
Affleck reconciled with his ex Lopez in 2022, but she filed for divorce in August after two years of marriage.
Last month, she broke her silence about their split while speaking to Interview Magazine – and described the split as “sad” and “scary.”
“It feels alone, unknown, scary. He feels sad. “She feels desperate,” the singer said when asked what it was like “to be alone.”
“But when you sit in those feelings and say, ‘These things aren’t going to kill me,’ it’s like I’m actually able to feel joy and happiness for myself.
‘Being in a relationship doesn’t define me. I can’t look for happiness in other people. I have to have happiness within me.
“I used to say I’m a happy person, but I was still looking for something that someone else could fill, and it was like, ‘No, I’m actually good.'”
Affleck’s sighting comes a day after DailyMail.com reported that he would be spending the holiday with Garner, her three children and her boyfriend John Miller.