Do you have a heart for those experiencing homelessness and hunger in our community?
Join us as a volunteer at
St. Joseph Diner!

Are you volunteering with Catholic Charities of Acadiana for the first time?

Have questions? We’ve got answers!

St. Joseph Diner serves free, freshly prepared, nutritious, hot meals to those experiencing homelessness and hunger in our community.Volunteers fulfill a variety of tasks related to meal preparation and serving extending hospitality and kindness to our clients.

This volunteer opportunity is appropriate for individuals, families, school groups, business groups, clubs, and service organizations.

Volunteers can be as young as 7 years of age to accommodate family participation in this Work of Mercy; however,  Each shift is limited to 3 volunteers under the age of 12.

All volunteers under under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Volunteers should be able to stand for at least 2 hours at a time, bend, and lift. Volunteers should be able to work with hot pans of food, clean, work in a team and be cheerful and courteous when dealing with the public. Volunteers are expected to respectfully maintain client and volunteer confidentiality.  

Volunteer shifts are scheduled 7 days/week. Volunteers should plan on being present for the entirety of your assigned shift. 

  • Breakfast Shift | 6:30 am-8:00 am, daily (8 volunteers) 

  • Morning In-Between Shift | 8:30 am-10:30 am, daily (5 volunteers) 

  • Lunch Shift | 11:00 am-1:00 pm, daily  (10 volunteers) 

  • Afternoon In-Between Shift | 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, daily (6 volunteers) 

  • Dinner | 3-4:40 pm, daily (4 volunteers) 

Catholic Charities of Acadiana can verify service hours for schools, clubs or businesses; however, at this time Catholic Charities of Acadiana is not a Court Appointed Community Service Site and court-appointed community service hours cannot be fulfilled through serving in our programs.

Do you love to be spontaneous?

Add your name to our “Pinch Hitters” call list for times we need substitutes or more volunteers in a pinch.

Sign up to volunteer through the interactive calendar below!

Click on the shift. Follow the prompts. Upon successful sign up you will receive a confirmation email with a General Orientation Video and a Volunteer Information Sheet.

Group leaders may sign-up on behalf of their entire group. Group leaders assume the responsibility of ensuring that all reserved spots are filled and that every individual volunteer receives the necessary information prior to service.

Please don’t sign up for a shift unless you can fulfill the entire shift to which you’ve committed. Thank you!

For questions, need for assistance prior to your shift, or to verify service hours after your shift, contact Volunteer Experience Coordinator, Sarah Baquet, at O: 337-235-4972 ext. 1222, M: 337-852-4077 or email: sarahb@catholiccharitiesacadiana.org.