All HandsOn Deck - April 2026

Welcome to the April newsletter! We hope everyone is ready for the last stretch of the semester. Check out the rest of the newsletter for upcoming volunteer opportunities on and off campus.

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On-Campus Opportunities

Mobile Food Distributions

In partnership with Harvesters of Topeka, HandsOn will be hosting a Mobile Food Distribution on Friday, April 10. The distribution will take place in parking lot C1 (north of the K-State Rec Center). All are welcome to come and receive food, serving from 4 to 5 p.m.

Volunteers are needed from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and will help distribute food, register patrons, and direct traffic. Volunteer spots are limited, so register soon.

Register to volunteer at this link.

If you have any questions, email HandsOn at handson@ksu.edu.

Annual Rock Springs Volunteer Work Day

Every year, the Rock Springs 4-H camp brings in volunteers to help revamp and prep the ranch for the upcoming summer’s excited campers. Volunteers will have a fun day of trail clearing, cabin painting, or other maintenance activities. Rock Springs will welcome as many volunteers as possible for their Work Day on Saturday, April 11.

To sign up to volunteer, fill out this volunteer registration form. For more information about Rock Springs and Kansas 4-H, visit their website here!

Project Sew and Swap

In partnership with the nonprofit leadership certificate, HandsOn is hosting a free clothing drive for students and community members Thursday, April 30. This is a great opportunity to donate gently used, unwanted clothing items and select clothes for free!

Throughout the month of April, there will be boxes around campus dedicated to clothing donations. Any donated clothes will support a free community clothing swap and sewing workshop to promote sustainable fashion on April 30th at Bosco Plaza from noon to 4 p.m.

Gently used clothing are needed, all sizes are welcome, to help reduce clothing waste and support the K-State community.

Email handson@ksu.edu for more information.

Pink Up the Pace - Johnson Cancer Research Center

Pink Up the Pace is Downtown’s annual run for breast cancer research, and all proceeds from the race go to the Johnson Cancer Research Center here on campus. If you would like to participate in this event, you can sign up to run the 5k or do the one mile Honor Walk. However, if running isn’t your strong suit, they are also looking for volunteers to assist with the event Monday, April 20! These volunteers would be utilized by handing things out, assisting runners, and distributing medals.

Register for the 5K or Honor Walk or sign up to volunteer at this link. Both will require you to make an account with Johnson Cancer Research Center.

Off-Campus Opportunities

Party For the Planet - Sunset Zoo

Sunset Zoo here in Manhattan has several events throughout the year to spread awareness, connect with the community, and promote their mission! Coming up Saturday, April 18, they are hosting a Party For the Planet Earth Day event, and they need volunteers to help run this amazing party. They also have other events throughout the year, a regular volunteer base, and a large group volunteering option for your work, greek family, or student organization!

Learn more about volunteering for Sunset Zoo here. To sign up for the event, you will need to make an account through their volunteer portal.

Drives for Dreams and DJ BINGO - Big Brothers Big Sisters

Looking to make a difference, but don’t have the time or ability to volunteer? Luckily, there are other ways to support the wonderful community organizations in our community! An easy and awesome way to do that would be to attend the Riley County fundraiser events this month for the Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters.

For $25, you can experience a DJ BINGO night, complete with prizes and free hors d’oeuvres at The Press in Manhattan, Kansas, on Thursday, April 16.

Or, if you’re looking for an excuse to dust off your driver for the spring, the Drives for Dreams is a Kentucky Derby-style women’s golf tournament, taking place Tuesday, April 28, at the Wamego Country Club.

All proceeds for these incredible events go to the Big Brothers Big Sisters nonprofit to help fund their incredible organization. Learn more about Kansas Bigs at their website, or see all of their April events in Kansas here.

Flint Hills Festival - Flint Hills Discovery Center

Every spring, the Flint Hills Discovery Center hosts a community festival to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of the Kansas Flint Hills. With vendors, food trucks, activities, and live entertainment, it’s a celebration you don’t want to miss!

As always, the Discover Center is looking for volunteers to help run this event. If you are interested, you can sign up for a short two-hour shift Saturday, May 2, to monitor entrances, assist with activities, or help with hosting and hospitality.

Learn more about the event on the Flint Hills Discover Center website.

Kansas Science Festival - Manhattan Public Library and Johnson Cancer Research Center

College of Arts and Science volunteers: This one is for you! Actually, anyone who is interested in volunteering for the Kansas Science Festival on Saturday, April 25, at the Manhattan Public Library is more than welcome.

This hands-on science engagement event is an amazing way to introduce young learners to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). If encouraging the strengthening of young minds and shaping the education of our future isn’t enough incentive to volunteer for this incredible event, lunch is also being provided for volunteers!

For more information about the Manhattan Science Festival, visit the Manhattan Public Library website. Sign up to volunteer at the event here.

HandsOn Updates

Here's what HandsOn has been up to...

On Friday, March 28, HandsOn hosted a Mobile Food Distribution. With the help of 39 volunteers, we were able to distribute over 10,000 Ilbs of food to 175 households.

Thanks for reading the April edition of All HandsOn Deck.

Email the HandsOn Kansas State Team with any questions regarding the enewsletter.