Feeding the homeless with Caritas of Austin

The Fox 7 Austin team spent the day volunteering at Caritas of Austin to serve free meals to hundreds of people in need. As we learned, it takes a lot of help behind the scenes to keep the community kitchen running. Take a look. It's just before lunchtime at Caritas of Austin. As long as you cook at home, you'll be good to go for today. That's the quick training our Fox 7 Austin crew got before rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. We started by prepping the food, chopping fruits and vegetables, cutting desserts, washing potatoes and getting them in the oven. We will have jobs posted on this whiteboard over here. Things like servers, bussers, dishwashers, compost people. We spent the day helping keep the community kitchen running. It's a place that serves nearly 50,000 people each year, providing a free, nutritious lunch five days a week. Chef Sebastian has been leading the kitchen for about three years. I've always worked in kitchens. My dad is a chef, so since I could walk, I've been in the kitchen. After years in corporate kitchens, he says this work feels different. It filled all the gaps that I felt like I was missing working in the kitchen. And it wouldn't happen without volunteers. If we don't have more than six volunteers a day, we can't open the community kitchen. On today's menu? We'll be serving baked potatoes, we'll have sour cream and cheese with that, Caesar salad, a dinner roll, fruit salad, then we'll have our dessert options and we'll serve some Gatorade, lemonade and sweet tea. Baked potatoes are a big, a fan favorite. As the doors open, the line moves quickly. Potato, a roll, butter, Caesar salad. We filled trays, passed out drinks and desserts and greeted guests. For many, this is more than just a meal. Ninety-five percent of our guests have been coming every day for the last six months, so you do get to know people. You recognize faces. And despite the challenges many are facing, Chef Sebastian says there's still plenty of The folks who come through the line are very appreciative. They're very positive despite what they're currently going through. Everybody's funny. Everybody's having a good time. We put music on. People dance and laugh. By the end of the shift, the food is gone. Thank you. Have a good one. The tables are cleaned and the dishes are put away. A few hours of volunteering to make sure hundreds of people have a place to turn for a hot meal. It's just nice to work with 15 new people every day who are looking to give back to their community, who are here out of the kindness of their heart, who enjoy being here. It's very, it's humbling. It gives you a different perspective in life. Reporting in downtown Austin, Meredith Aldis, Fox 7 Austin News. Two hundred and fifty years of American history built on one powerful idea, neighbors helping neighbors. Through the Fox America 250 Food Bank campaign, we're teaming up with Caritas of Austin to fight hunger right here in our own backyard. Fox is leading the way with a $2,500 donation to kick off the campaign, helping to put meals on local tables. Let's keep making an impact together. Scan the QR code on your screen or visit go.fox slash America 250 Austin to donate today.