Nonprofit
Published 11/12/25 3:24PM

Cook A Dish, Homeless Outreach- The Charlie Center

On-site, Volunteer must be in or near Austin, TX
I Want to Help


  • Details

    Available Times:
    Weekdays (daytime)
    Commitment Details:
    Time commitment includes: gathering ingredients, prepping meal, cooking meal, reheating meal as needed, delivering meal to The Charlie Center. Estimated time: 4 hours total.
    Recurrence:
    Recurring
    Volunteers Needed:
    100
    Cause Areas:
    Housing & Homelessness, Hunger, Food Security, Mental Health
    Good For:
    Kids, Teens, Public Groups, Age 55+, Private Corporate Groups
    Age Requirement:
    13+
    Other Requirements:
    You must sign-up on our sign-up genius in order to volunteer. Sign-up to Make a Dish for The Charlie Center here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CA5AC29A6FBC70-54182274-make#/ Thank you!

    Description

    Cook A Dish, Homeless Outreach- The Charlie Center

    Cook & Deliver A DishFor The Charlie Center

    Availability: Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays

    Sign-up Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CA5AC29A6FBC70-54182274-make#/

    Questions: volunteer@thecharliecenter.org

    OVERVIEW & INSTRUCTIONS:

    Thank you for signing up to make a dish for The Charlie Center. Each month we serve 1300 clients who are experiencing homelessness in Travis and Williamson Counties, and we are proud to serve each of them a hot homemade nutritious meal every week. We can not do this without our incredible Volunteer Community! Thank you.

    • *Special Note**

    We have 13x20" aluminum pans and Rudy's shredded chicken for your convenience. Please stop by The Charlie Center to pick these items up ahead of time. Reach out to volunteer@thecharliecenter.org to reserve your chicken.

    MAKE A DISH INSTRUCTIONS:

    1. Find a date and dish that works with your schedule, click the sign-up button.
    2. Enter your name, email, and the quantity you plan to bring of the dish you have signed up for.
    3. In your email confirmation you will receive a recipe document link, calendar link, and volunteer waiver form.
    4. Enjoy making the dish from the comfort of your own home.
    5. All dishes should fill a 13x20" aluminum pan. (Please do not substitute another size pan. We depend on the number of servings that completely fills a 13x20" pan.)
    6. All dishes should be dropped off to The Charlie Center, hot and ready to serve, by 9:15am. (Please do not bring your dish cold or frozen.)

    RECIPE DOCUMENT:

    The Charlie Center Recipe Document: Click Here

    This document can also be found at the bottom of our Charlie Center Volunter Page

    DISH DROP-OFF & VOLUNTEER ARRIVAL LOCATION INSTRUCTIONS:

    Our address is 12675 Research Blvd. Austin, TX 78759. We are located towards the back of the Mosaic Church Campus in the "Student Building". The physical address where you will drop off your dish is 12116 Jekel Circle. The entrance of The Charlie Center is marked by purple and green Charlie Center flags. Proceed through the iron courtyard gates. Our front door is located towards the back of the courtyard. If our door is closed please knock, and a team member will let you in. (Our clients will already be lined up in the courtyard upon your arrival.)

    CANCEL INFORMATION (PLEASE DO NOT NO-SHOW):

    If you are not able to bring your dish, please reach out to volunteer@thecharliecenter.org immediately. We depend on each dish so that we can provide one meal for every client that checks in during our Hospitality & Navigation Day. If we are short on food, we may not be able to serve everyone a hot meal. Giving us advance notice will help us to come up with a plan to cover your dish. Thank you.

    QUESTIONS & GROUP SERVE INFORMATION:

    Please schedule all group serve events on Tuesdays & Thursdays. These are the days that we need the most help. Reach out to our Volunteer Team with Group Serve Inquiries and any other questions at: volunteer@thecharliecenter.org. We can't wait to serve with you at The Charlie Center!

    Private Group Details:

    • Group Size Range: 10 - 10
    • Event can be held at organization location(s)
    • Donation Requested
    • For private groups please donate $10 per person or purchase an $100 worth of product off our Amazon Wishlist. Donation Link: https://www.thecharliecenter.org/donate

    Watch our video to learn more: What Is Homeless Navigation?

    Location

    On-site
    12675 Research Boulevard, Austin, Texas, US

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