Thirteen U-Haul® Team Members spent a June evening giving back at Andre House® in downtown Phoenix, serving 632 meals to neighbors experiencing homelessness and hardship.
Team U-Haul prepared meals, greeted guests, served dinner, distributed water, collected trays and cleaned the kitchen and dining areas over the course of the night. The volunteer effort supported Andre House’s mission of extending compassionate care and hospitality to those in need.
U-Haul International partners with many compassionate nonprofits in the city where it has been headquartered since 1967, including Andre House, where Team Members regularly donate their time to serve meals and welcome their neighbors. Through these recurring opportunities, Team U-Haul strengthens local connections and improves the community in which it works and lives.
From start to finish, U-Haul volunteers worked alongside Andre House staff and fellow community volunteers to help dinner service run smoothly. After the meal, volunteers collected trays, cleaned tables and restored the dining area and kitchen, ensuring the space was ready for the next day of service. Every role helped create an atmosphere of dignity, kindness and respect for guests.
Memorable Experience
“It was my first time volunteering at Andre House,” said Diana Romero, U-Haul IT Services account representative. “I brought my mom with me, and we both had a great experience. We helped with food preparation and assisted guests in the dining room by picking up food trays and offering extra drinks.
“My favorite part was simply being part of the experience and helping wherever I was needed. It felt rewarding to contribute, even in small ways, and to see the positive impact that volunteers can have.”
U-Haul business analyst Adam Axelrod also volunteered at Andre House for the first time.
“My experience was great,” Axelrod noted. “Everyone was welcoming and helpful, and I worked in food preparation and helped clean the serving trays.
“Andre House directly supports people experiencing homelessness who often don’t have reliable access to meals or basic resources. Volunteers are part of what keeps that operation running day to day. It’s a meaningful way to use my time to help people facing circumstances more difficult than my own.”
U-Haul is grateful for its nonprofit partners and looks forward to future opportunities to give back.
