All HandsOn Deck - October 2025
Happy fall semester and welcome to the October newsletter! Check out the rest of the newsletter for upcoming volunteer opportunities on and off campus.
Mobile Food Distribution
HandsOn will be hosting a Mobile Food Distribution on Friday, November 14. The distribution will take place in parking lot C1 (north of the KSU rec center). All are welcome to come and receive food, serving from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Volunteers are needed from 3:30-5:30 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.
Better Together
Facilitators needed for Better Together event
How can we be better together?
6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5
Student Union Ballroom
Volunteer facilitators are needed at the upcoming Better Together event. K-State students, faculty and staff are invited to sign up. Facilitators will help small groups engage in conversation around the book, Together, and build intentional connections. Training is provided and facilitators will a Better Together t-shirt.
Sign-up here to be a facilitator by Monday, Oct. 27.
More about the event
At K-State, we believe we’re better together. Inspired by the 2025 K-State Common read, Together by Vivek Murthy, we invite you to join us for a campus-wide event, Better Together (learn more at this link) .
Alternative Breaks
Volunteer in La Harpe, Kansas, on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Partner with Thrive Allen County to support ongoing community-led efforts that support their mission of enhancing well-being for all community members. Immerse yourself in the heart of rural Kansas, and work alongside dedicated community members to make a tangible difference through cleanup activities.
By joining this alternative break, you will play an important role in strengthening the fabric of a rural community facing demographic challenges such as a low and aging population.
Your involvement will not only support immediate community needs but also foster personal growth and connection with a wonderful community.
- Depart Manhattan at 5:30 a.m.
- Cleanup in Allen County
- Return to Manhattan at 6 p.m.
Transportation, meals and a T-shirt will be provided. Register to volunteer here.
Stoneybrook Health and Rehab
Stoneybrook Senior Living is a family owned and operated retirement community in Manhattan, Kansas. They are looking for student volunteers to help with special events and those who are willing to go in and chat with the residents.
Some activities that need volunteers include bingo, the nail salon, tea parties, and our artful making class.
If you are interested in volunteering, email Stoneybrook at aring@midwest-health.com for more information.
Cats' Cupboard
Volunteers are essential to ensure the continued success of Cats' Cupboard in promoting food security at K-State. Volunteers provide assistance for one or two hours, at a weekly assigned time, during the pantry's hours of operation. 
Volunteers perform a variety of services including, but not limited to, stocking shelves, verifying inventory, monitoring food per safety guidelines, and creating social media strategies.
Complete a volunteer application here.
Email catscupboard@ksu.edu or call 785-532-0366 with questions.
United Service Organization
At the USO, volunteers are the backbone of their mission. They provide hundreds of thousands of hours of service, from welcoming home deployed service members to providing support for individual service members and their families at USO centers as well as at events. Volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring that our military community feels supported and appreciated.
Volunteering with the USO offers numerous benefits, including:
- Building Connections
- Developing Skills
- Enhancing Career Prospects
- Boosting Mental Health
If you are interested in volunteering, call 785-473-3113 or email yewell@uso.org for more information.
PeaceFull Pantry
PeaceFull Pantry is looking for volunteers to help stock food pantry shelves on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9-10 a.m. This could be a one time or recurring opportunity.
Or, you could help shoppers navigate the pantry at the following times:
- 1:45-4:15 p.m. Sunday
- 4:45-7:15 p.m Monday
- 1:45-7:15 p.m. Tuesday
- 4:45-7:15 p.m. Thursday
The PeaceFull Pantry is located at 2500 Kimball Ave., Manhattan, Kansas 66502
Email Amy Meng at peacefullpantry@gmail.com to volunteer.
Learn more about the Peacefull Pantry here.
Manhattan Arts Center
The Manhattan Arts Center is looking for new volunteers to get involved at their shows and around the theatre!
Ways to be involved:
- Volunteer as an usher, doing box office sales, or be a house manager for performances.
- Help with a theatre production making costumes, building sets, painting, running lights (we train you), stage managing, or - of course - acting.
- Gallery exhibit set-up, hosting the exhibit, and tear-down.
- Help with building maintenance, and cosmetic enhancements inside and out.
Find out more information about Manhattan Arts Center here.
Email Manhattan Arts Center office@manhattanarts.org with any questions!
Common Table
Common Table started as a collaboration of churches that offered a free community meal seven nights a week in a different church location. Now, meals are served every night of the week, 365 days a year at the Lincoln Education Center, 901 Poyntz. Meals are served at 6pm.
Volunteers (cooks helpers, bussers/dishwashers, servers, and host/hostess) are needed each night starting at 5:30 p.m. and should plan to arrive around 5:15 p.m.
Sign up to volunteer at Common Table here.
Email mhkcommontable@gmail.com with any questions.
HandsOn Updates
Here's what HandsOn has been up to...
Mobile Food Distribution
On Sept. 12 and Oct. 3, HandsOn hosted two Mobile Food Distributions. With the help of 66 volunteers, we were able to distribute over 15,000 Ibs. of food to the Manhattan community.
Thanks for reading the October edition of All HandsOn Deck.