Caritas of Austin

Food PantryVeteransSign-up RequiredWalk-in
611 Neches St, Austin, Texas 78701

Who Can Visit?

The Caritas of Austin Pantry is only available to clients who are already enrolled in one of the organization's housing or refugee resettlement programs. It is not open to the general public. If you're not currently a client, the Community Kitchen serves lunch daily to anyone who needs a meal, including people experiencing homelessness.

To become a client and access housing services, you'll need to complete a Coordinated Entry survey first. This is a 50-question assessment of your current housing situation. You can complete it through one of these agencies:

  • Sunrise Navigation Center at 4430 Menchaca Road, 512-522-1097, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC) at 505 Barton Springs Road (first floor), 512-974-4879, Wednesdays from 12 to 4 p.m.

For questions about Coordinated Entry or other community resources, you can also contact 2-1-1.

How to Register?

Completing Coordinated Entry is not a guarantee of services, but it's the first step. It can take 30 to 45 minutes. It helps to have as much documentation with you as possible. Agencies will contact you directly if and when they have openings to serve you. You don't need to call back to check in unless your contact information or housing situation has changed, or it's been more than 6 months since your last assessment.

For specific questions about programs or services at Caritas of Austin, you can call their main number at 512-479-4610.

How Often You Can Visit?

Pantry clients can access the Caritas Pantry up to 10 times while they're enrolled in services.

Good to Know

Caritas of Austin serves people experiencing homelessness and those enrolled in its housing or refugee programs. The Pantry is not open to walk-ins from the public. The Community Kitchen does serve walk-in clients with lunch daily. Caritas North services are by appointment only.

The organization does not provide rental assistance, utility assistance, or bus passes independent of case management services. If you need those types of help, contact 2-1-1 for community resources.

Caritas of Austin does not accept clothing donations. They encourage donating clothing to St. Vincent de Paul Store instead.

Food & Essentials

The Community Kitchen serves lunch daily from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., thanks to community volunteers. Vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request.

The Pantry provides enrolled clients with access to healthy groceries as they transition out of homelessness. The food bank stocks a wide range of donated items including canned meats, soups, pasta, beans, rice, cereals, peanut butter, jelly, and canned fruits and vegetables.

Walk-in clients also receive Care Kits, which include hygiene items and healthy snacks.

How to Pick Up

Donation drop-offs and pantry access are available at 611 Neches Street during the following hours:

  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Friday: 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.

When you arrive, please call the front desk at 512-479-4610 and let them know you're there.

Additional Support

Caritas of Austin offers a wide range of services beyond food. These include:

  • Housing assistance to help prevent and end homelessness
  • Employment services for current Caritas clients
  • Education classes (149 classes offered per year)
  • Veterans assistance through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, available to veterans in Travis, Williamson, or Bastrop County with a household income below 30% of the Area Median Income and a discharge status other than dishonorable

Ways to Give

There are several ways to support Caritas of Austin:

How to Join the Team?

Caritas of Austin welcomes volunteers and interns.

Volunteers can help in several ways:

  • Serve lunch in the Community Kitchen, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (new volunteers arrive at 8:45 a.m. for orientation). Must be 13 or older. Those under 18 must be with an adult.
  • Work one-on-one with clients in direct service roles (minimum 6 to 8 hours per week for at least four months; must be 18 or older)
  • Provide administrative support in the office, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (must be 18 or older)
  • Help with donation deliveries and pick-ups during business hours using your own vehicle
  • Assemble Care Kits at home

To sign up or ask questions, contact Volunteer Coordinator Anissa Reyes at volunteer@caritasofaustin.org.

Internships are available for undergraduate and graduate students as well as non-academic applicants. Interns must be available at least 18 hours per week and complete a criminal background check. Both direct service and administrative internship tracks are offered. Email volunteer@caritasofaustin.org to apply or learn more.

Nearby Food Pantries