When lunchtime rolls around for Austin Energy’s Dream Team, it’s about more than just a meal break—it’s about showing up for our homebound neighbors.
Laura Campos, Program Manager for Austin Energy’s meal delivery group, proudly shared stories from the Dream Team, a dedicated group that has been delivering Meals on Wheels Central Texas routes since 1994. For more than three decades, these employees have turned their lunch hour into a lifeline for older Central Texans in need.
Today, the Dream Team has grown to more than 40 Austin Energy employees who share delivery routes across the community. Six routes, four days a week—that’s a powerful impact.
Volunteers often say meal delivery is a small commitment with a big return. One Austin Energy employee shared, “Volunteering for Meals on Wheels on a shared route is a very easy opportunity to help our local community with a small amount of time and effort.”
In just one lunch hour, a volunteer can deliver a hot, healthy meal and a friendly check-in to four to seven homebound neighbors in Central Texas.
This simple act of service helps more than 4,000 older, homebound neighbors remain independent and connected. The Power of the Knock lies in that brief, meaningful moment between a volunteer and a neighbor—a moment that can brighten a day and offer peace of mind.
Another Austin Energy employee reflected, “I am a caregiver by heart and was looking for a way to fill the void after my dad’s passing. Thank you for this program and the volunteers who fill in when life happens.” Stories like these remind us that volunteering nourishes both the volunteer and the neighbor served.