U-Haul® volunteers spent an evening supporting neighbors in need during an Andre House Dinner Service on Feb. 26 in Phoenix.
A group of nine U-Haul Team Members gathered at Andre House to help prepare and serve a warm meal while assisting with dining room operations throughout the evening.
Providing daily meals and hospitality to the poor in the community is an important part of Andre House’s faith-based mission.
Team U-Haul prepared ingredients ahead of dinner, served meals to guests, and assisted during dining hours to help ensure the evening ran smoothly. By the end of the night, 573 meals were served to community members.
U-Haul International has been headquartered in Midtown Phoenix since 1967 and partners with many nonprofits in Arizona to help at-risk populations meet their most basic needs.
Burrito Night
Volunteer efforts began in the kitchen, where Team U-Haul prepped ingredients for “Burrito Night.” Working alongside Andre House staff and other volunteers, the U-Haul cadre helped ready the food that would later be served to guests.
When dinner began, volunteers transitioned into serving roles and dining room support. Team Members assisted guests, distributed meals, and kept the dining area organized.
“I had the opportunity to cut fruits and vegetables and eventually serve meals at the end of the night,” said Aaron Galicia, part of the U-Haul Social Media department. “The folks who came in for the meal were very grateful to be receiving (food).”
Neighborly Vibes
Beyond meal preparation and service, volunteers stayed late to clean and reset the space for the next day. Team U-Haul helped clean the kitchen and dining room, ensuring Andre House would be ready to continue its vital daily operations serving the Phoenix community.
Cynthia Luna, a member of the U-Haul Contact Center, expressed her joy in participating.
“I really enjoyed engaging with so many people,” Luna said. “Everyone was so respectful and friendly and thanked us for helping. Seeing how much work goes into getting just the dinner service ready really opened my eyes to how much community support they need. It was an honor to be a small part of that.”
Company-sponsored volunteer opportunities like the Andre House Dinner Service reflect the ongoing U-Haul commitment to supporting the communities where Team Members live and work. By giving time and effort to those in need, Team U-Haul strengthens connections with neighbors and organizations dedicated to making a difference.
Does U-Haul sound like the type of work family you would like to join? Search for careers near you at uhauljobs.com.
To read about past U-Haul volunteer events, click here.
