KITCHEN DOORS {feeding the need}
NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS Andre House partners with local restaurants to serve guests Shoshana Leon | Contributing Writer From small businesses to healthcare workers to families, the coronavirus pandemic has significantly impacted all of our lives. One of the most affected groups is nonprofits, especially those that provide meals and services to people in need and rely heavily on donations and volunteers. Since 1984, Andre House has been serving people in need in Phoenix, who are referred to as guests. The organization has thousands of volunteers that support its services, including preparing and serving hundreds of meals six evenings a week. When the pandemic struck, Andre House had to suspend its volunteer program for health and safety reasons but is more dedicated than ever to serving guests. “As part of our mission, Andre House is committed to feeding, clothing and comforting the most vulnerable among us,” said Elizabeth Wunsch, director of volunteer services and communications at Andre House. “Those who are experiencing homelessness are more vulnerable to serious health complications. It is important during this time to ensure those in need have nutrition and services to help them.”
34 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | MAY 2020
ANDRE HOUSE WENT FROM RELYING ON 30 VOLUNTEERS TO PREPARE AND SERVE 450 TO 550 MEALS PER DAY TO HAVING 8 TO 10 STAFF MEMBERS PREPARING AND SERVING 650 TO 800 MEALS A DAY.
Photos courtesy of Andre House
With the severe economic impact of the pandemic, Andre House was faced with more people in need of services without critical volunteer support. Andre House went from relying on 30 volunteers to prepare and serve 450 to 550 meals per day to having 8 to 10 staff members preparing and serving 650 to 800 meals a day in the safest manner possible. Andre House had to adapt to the circumstances and change how it serves guests, shifting from dining room service to serving takeout meals from the loading dock at its downtown Phoenix location. Without volunteers to prepare and serve meals, Andre House also had to change what it serves. The organization turned to local restaurants, providing the opportunity to support businesses that have been severely impacted by the pandemic.
