Austin Street is uniquely blessed in that the overwhelming majority of the meals we serve —more than 325,000 annually—are prepared, delivered, and served by volunteers. We simply could not fulfill our mission to meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable homeless without the dedicated and generous volunteers who make sure that our clients are well fed.
More than 38 groups serve dinner annually—many for more than 30 years. These churches, temples, schools, corporations, and friends are essential partners in the fight to end homelessness.
Kymberlaine Banks, a 15-year veteran dinner service volunteer with Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, said “Serving at Austin Street Center is something I can make time for. I love looking people in the eye and giving them hugs. That kind of connection is so priceless.”
Kellene said she serves for herself.“They give me so much more than I give them. It nurtures my soul.”
Betty Langfitt shared, “Serving at Austin Street gives me a chance to see the world through different eyes, while offering grace to people whose lives have seen so much difficulty. It puts things into perspective.”
Our volunteers understand that a meal is so much more than just food. The human contact and desire to express concern for each individual is what makes the experience so valuable.
At Austin Street, our mission is to serve the most vulnerable homeless men and women in Dallas. But we also exist to provide a place for the community to join us to serve their neighbors and change their lives in the process.
If you are interested in partnering with us, please contact Lacy Montgomery, our Partnerships and Community Engagement Manager, at lacy.montgomery@austinstreet.org.
