U-Haul Team Members served 424 free meals at Andre House to the Valley’s at-risk population, including guests who are experiencing homelessness, on April 3 in Phoenix.
Team Members prepared dishes for the crowd-favorite “burrito night,” including tortillas, rice, beans, salsa, pico de gallo, and fruit.
Andre House’s dinner service, offered Saturday through Thursday, serves approximately 550 meals daily and about 171,600 meals annually. As a longtime charity partner, U-Haul routinely assists by providing volunteers to help prepare and serve these meals.
“Volunteering at Andre House is truly a privilege,” said Sandra Suarez, a premium processor with the Oxford Life Insurance Accounting department. Oxford Life is a subsidiary of U-Haul Holding Company.
“This was my second volunteer event this year, and I’ve found each moment incredibly rewarding. The community at Andre House exemplifies generosity, both in their time and resources. Their kindness is truly remarkable. Both experiences have served as powerful reminders of the importance of gratitude and the need to extend compassion to those facing hardship. The simple act of serving a guest a hot meal and receiving their joyful smile in return is profoundly fulfilling.”
Worthy Cause
Andre House, named for Saint Andre Bassette, is a Catholic organization that provides much-needed services to the over 9,000 people without a home in Maricopa County. Services provided include free dinners, clothing, laundry service, hygiene kits, backpacks, blankets and showers.
John Newsome, project coordinator for U-Haul Construction/Renovation team, added: “I have benefited from similar programs in the past, and there have been periods of my life where I wish I could have gone to a place like Andre House and received a hot meal and a smile. Having been the beneficiary of so much goodwill, I feel compelled to pay it forward and have as much of a positive impact as I can manage.”
U-Haul® International, headquartered in Midtown Phoenix since 1967, supports proven nonprofits like Andre House that help meet people’s basic needs (food, clothing, shelter) while creating volunteer opportunities for its Team Members to give back to the community.
Are you interested in working for an industry-leading company with a commitment to its Team Members and worthy causes? Find your next career at uhauljobs.com.
