December 15, 2025
Since April 2025, CAA volunteer Charlie Cannon has been lending his time and energy to Compassionate Action for Animals’ plant-based meal program at Simpson Housing Services in Minneapolis. Charlie first got involved thanks to his mother, Nicola Philpott, who coordinates the program and has been instrumental in organizing volunteers. Nicola encouraged 14-year-old Charlie to join the kitchen team, saying, “It’s a great way for young people to learn about cooking, giving back, and serving their community — all while enjoying plant-based food.”
The Simpson Housing Program
Simpson Housing provides shelter and meals for people experiencing homelessness, offering beds for 66 individuals and three meals a day, every day of the year. Some of these meals are prepared and served by volunteer groups coordinated through CAA. Charlie’s first shift in the kitchen was back in April, helping to cook a hearty plant-based lunch. Since then, he has volunteered in the kitchen 10 times, preparing and serving nutritious dishes to Simpson’s shelter guests.
Joining the Team
Charlie’s interest in volunteering started when he and his family participated in a CAA bike crawl, where he got to explore local restaurants and enjoy plant-based food. “It was really fun, and the food was very good,” he says. “I loved stopping for breaks at different restaurants and trying the dishes.” When Nicola suggested he come along to help at Simpson Housing, he jumped at the chance, eager to combine his love of cooking with helping others.
Delighting Guests With Plant-Based Meals
For Charlie, volunteering is about more than cooking — it’s about connecting with the people he’s serving. Meals at Simpson include everything from stir-fries and enchiladas to tater tot hot dishes, sloppy joes, noodle casseroles, and chili with cornbread. “I enjoy helping people, contributing to my community, and eating good food,” Charlie says. His favorite part is seeing guests enjoy the meals he helped prepare and knowing he’s making a positive impact.
Growing the Program and Community Partnerships
Under Nicola’s guidance, the Simpson meal program has expanded to include two meals per month, with more during the summer. The program also partners with local environmental and climate groups, such as Citizens’ Climate Lobby Minneapolis and the Climate & Environmental Justice group at Plymouth Congregational Church, to provide low-carbon-footprint plant-based meals. Volunteers help prepare the food, while partners contribute toward ingredient costs, allowing Simpson to focus resources on housing and supporting their guests.
A Young Volunteer Making a Difference
Outside of CAA, Charlie enjoys video games, playing tennis, and practicing piano and cello. Even at 14 years old, he demonstrates how young people can make a real difference in their communities. “I think other kids my age would enjoy cooking food in a kitchen to help people,” he says. Charlie’s story shows that volunteering isn’t just about helping — it’s about learning, connecting, and growing while supporting a compassionate mission.
Join the Effort
Working alongside Charlie and other volunteers, CAA continues to serve nutritious plant-based meals to Simpson Housing guests. Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up at the CAA Volunteer Page, and donations to support the plant-based meal program can be made at GiveMN. Nicola adds, “It’s inspiring to see young volunteers like Charlie step up. Together, we’re making a difference for people, animals, and the planet.”
Thank You, Charlie
We are deeply grateful for Charlie’s compassion, dedication, and joyful spirit. His volunteer work helps create a more compassionate Minnesota for people and animals. Thank you, Charlie, for everything you do. We’re lucky to have you as part of the CAA family.
Inspired by Charlie? Get Involved With CAA!
If Velma’s story inspires you, consider supporting our work by volunteering, donating, or exploring creative options like matching grants through your employer. Together, we’re creating a more compassionate world for animals, people, and our planet.
Past Volunteer Spotlights
Want to meet more of our amazing volunteers? Explore these past volunteer profiles:
- Volunteer Spotlight on Velma Wagner
- Volunteer Spotlight on Oriana Rueda-Krauss
- Volunteer Spotlight on Itzel Herrera
- Volunteer Spotlight on Laura Hofer
- Volunteer Spotlight on Sheryl Lyke
- Volunteer Spotlight on Rianna Engel
- Volunteer Spotlight on Magnus Larsson
- Volunteer Spotlight on Ronan Magnus
- Volunteer Spotlight on Kedar Deshpande
- Volunteer Spotlight on Anna Larsson
- Volunteer Spotlight on Alysia Nelson
- Volunteer Spotlight on Tom Hoch
- Volunteer Spotlight on Lexy Race
- Volunteer Spotlight on Faustine Micheyls
- Volunteer Spotlight on Grace Prins
- Volunteer Spotlight on Kim Milligan
- Volunteer Spotlight on Allison Gamble
Making an Impact Together
Volunteers drive everything we accomplish. Last year, more than 280 volunteers donated over 6,263 hours of their time — more than $125,000 in value to CAA! They’ve also gained valuable advocacy skills, leadership experience, and lasting friendships in our community.
Read more about our collective impact in the annual report and browse available volunteer roles here.
CAA’s Theory of Change
Our mission is to encourage people to embrace their empathy for farmed animals and move toward a plant-based diet. This drives our vision of a world where all animals, human and nonhuman, can thrive.
We grow our movement by welcoming people of all backgrounds. Through our programs, events, and activities, we create a powerful cycle of increasing awareness, building community, empowering advocates, and generating lasting change for farmed animals. This approach targets both individual and institutional change.
What kind of change do we create? Our programs reduce consumption of animal products, improve the lives of farmed animals, and benefit the well-being of all Minnesotans.
We developed this theory of change in 2017 through comprehensive community input, including an online stakeholder survey, two public town halls, and strategic planning sessions with staff, core volunteers, and board members.
Your Skills, Our Mission
Ready to turn your compassion into action? Join our community of change-makers! Explore our volunteer opportunities to find the perfect match for your interests and skills. From hands-on roles in food service, photography, and event coordination to strategic planning for Twin Cities Veg Fest and helping to manage our website, there’s a meaningful way for everyone to contribute.
