Ben Affleck was seen looking friendly with his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, as he spent his first Thanksgiving without estranged wife, Jennifer Lopez.
On Thursday, the former couple, who share children Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12, reunited to volunteer with Midnight Mission.
Along with their kids, the stars teamed up to help feed 2,000 homeless and near-homeless people in downtown Los Angeles during the non-profit organization’s annual Thanksgiving brunch.
As they lent a helping hand, the two-time Oscar winner and actress, both 52, could be seen whispering to one another and wearing matching aprons.
They both appeared in high spirits as they served their community with a smile.
An eyewitness told DailyMail.com that they spent three hours there.
Ben Affleck was seen looking friendly with his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, as he spent his first first Thanksgiving without estranged wife, Jennifer Lopez, with her and their three children
For the occasion, the Alias alum wore her long brunette hair up in a high ponytail and navy sweater.
Affleck wore a brown button-down and stuck close to Garner and his kids, including Violet, who wore an orange hoodie and 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.
Back in 2020, Affleck took to Instagram to give the organization a sweet shoutout as he recognized Midnight Mission’s commitment to helping ‘those in need with housing, training, development and recovery.’
Previously, he told People that he learned about Midnight Mission through a parent at one of his children’s schools.
‘I found that I get a lot out of giving a little bit of my time to other people. I don’t know that it helps them or not, but I know it’s helpful to me,’ he told the outlet.
‘It’s easy to sort of throw up your hands and say there’s nothing you can do,’ Affleck said, at the time. ‘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 even doing a little bit, 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 his experience working with the organization ‘has been really positive and rewarding.’
On Thursday, the former couple, who share kids: Violet, 18, Fin, 15, and Samuel, 12, reunited to volunteer with Midnight Mission
Along with their kids, the pair teamed up to help feed 2,000 homeless and near-homeless people in downtown Los Angeles during the non-profit organization’s annual Thanksgiving brunch
Affleck’s sighting comes one day after DailyMail.com reported that he would be spending the holiday with Garner, their three children and her boyfriend John Miller.
‘Ben and Jen are looking forward to today and Ben is anticipating a relaxing day full of food and football before he has to get back to work on the film,’ a source told DailyMail.com exclusively.
‘Thanksgiving is all about being drama free when it comes to Ben, it is going to be low key, only good vibes and Jen is on board to make today as easy as possible.’
A second insider said he was adamant that nothing would get in the way of the ‘meaningful holiday’ which will be celebrated at Garner’s house with Miller, whom she has been dating on-and-off since 2018.
As they lent a helping hand, the two-time Oscar winner and actress, both 52, could be seen whispering to one another and wearing matching aprons
After volunteering together, the pair were seen driving off in the same vehicle
The businessman had previously aired grievances about her involvement in Affleck’s marital struggles with Lopez, but there is now ‘nothing but love and appreciation’ between them all.
‘Thanksgiving is such a meaningful holiday for them to spend together before the chaos of Christmas season hits,’ the source said.
‘Jen’s boyfriend is often included and there is never any issue whatsoever as they all have nothing but love and appreciation for each other.
‘And yes, Jen Garner and the kids cook Thanksgiving dinner without any outside help.’
Affleck, who spent last 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 middle of divorcing Lopez after two years of marriage; seen in 2023
The actress paid tribute to her beloved pet, who she acquired just after her 2015 split from Affleck.
‘She lived a happy dog life and is now in the role she was born to play: angel girl,’ she told her Instagram followers on Wednesday. ‘It’s a gift to love and be loved by such a creature as Birdie the Doggie.’
Last week reports surfaced that tensions were brewing between her and Lopez, despite the former adopting the role of ‘marriage counselor’ during Affleck’s split from the singer.
Sources at the time said she has now chosen to distance herself from the On the Floor hitmaker and doesn’t want to have any ‘communication’ with her ‘unless it is do with the kids.’
‘Her friends feel she shouldn’t have allowed herself to get so involved in helping JLo to fix her marriage to Ben,’ the source said.
Affleck, who spent last 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 Jen felt pitted against JLo at times during their own marriage. Jen is too nice and truly wanted to help, so she tried.’
Earlier this year DailyMail.com was told Miller was tiring of Garner seeing it as her responsibility to help ‘fix’ her ex-husband’s beleaguered marriage.
‘Especially considering Jen felt pitted against JLo at times during their own marriage. Jen is too nice and truly wanted to help, so she tried.’
‘John wants nothing more than for Ben to be okay, but it isn’t his girlfriend’s responsibility to play babysitter to him,’ an insider said at the time.
‘That is for Ben to figure out on his own and for his wife to handle. It isn’t Jen’s responsibility, and he has told her this.’
They added that Affleck was conscious of being a ‘burden’ and was trying to avoid discussing his marital breakdown with Garner.
Garner and Affleck have remained amicable since their split (seen in June 2024)
Their eldest child, Violet, (seen above with her mom) turned 18 in December 2023
Affleck pictured with their youngest Samuel in November 2024
Garner and Affleck notably tied the knot 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 on their split while talking to Interview Magazine – and described the separation as both ‘sad’ and ‘scary.’
‘It feels lonely, unfamiliar, scary. It feels sad. It feels desperate,’ the hitmaker said when asked what it was like to ‘be on her own.’
‘But when you sit in those feelings and go, “These things are not going to kill me,” it’s like actually, I am capable of joy and happiness all by myself.
‘Being in a relationship doesn’t define me. I can’t be looking for happiness in other people. I have to have happiness within myself.
‘I used to say I’m a happy person, but was still looking for something for somebody else to fill, and it’s just like, “No, I’m actually good.”’
