Catholic Charities of Acadiana announces the Summer Diner Takeover initiative, encouraging businesses to volunteer as a group this summer at St. Joseph Diner

LAFAYETTE — In an effort to address the annual summer volunteer shortage, Catholic Charities of Acadiana is inviting local businesses to volunteer as a group at St. Joseph Diner this summer during the Summer Diner Takeover. This volunteer recruitment effort starts May 15th and is open to any local business or group that is willing to volunteer for a full shift or entire day at St. Joseph Diner.

“St. Joseph Diner has relied on volunteer support to serve those who are experiencing hunger since we opened in 1983,” said Ben Broussard, Chief Communications Officer for Catholic Charities of Acadiana. “Summer usually presents challenges in securing volunteers due to changing schedules. The Summer Diner Takeover is an invitation to local businesses to volunteer as a group and build company culture among colleagues while helping to meet a real community need through the work of St. Joseph Diner.”

Businesses are invited to reserve volunteer shifts by reaching out to Sarah Baquet at sarahb@catholiccharitiesacadiana.org or (337) 235-4972 x1222. Volunteer shifts are available Monday through Friday, each day hosting a 7:00am and a 12:30pm shift. Each shift is maxed out at 15 volunteers.

Under the supervision of kitchen staff, volunteers will assist with food and meal preparation and packaging. Volunteers assist with a variety of tasks including packing various food, snack and drink items, making sandwiches, plating meals, packing meals for delivery, cleaning, sweeping and washing dishes. Specific assignments and projects may vary slightly based on kitchen needs.

St. Joseph Diner is a program of Catholic Charities of Acadiana. Catholic Charities of Acadiana cares for the sacred gift of all human life, especially the most vulnerable. CCA operates several programs that serve those who are currently experiencing homelessness, hunger and poverty in Acadiana. Since 1973, its programs have represented a response to the Gospel call to carry out the corporal works of mercy: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, offering hospitality to the homeless, caring for the sick, visiting the imprisoned and burying the dead.

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