All HandsOn Deck - September 2026

Welcome back, Wildcats! We hope you are enjoying classes so far, and that you are ready for another epic year of service! It’s so exciting to be publishing the first newsletter of the 2026-2027 school year.

If you are new, this is your hub for any and all volunteering opportunities led by or shared with HandsOn Kansas State. We are so excited for you all to check out everything we’ve got going on to kick off the fall semester. Service is such a great opportunity to better yourself and your community.

Before you see everything we have to offer for this month, read about how service has impacted one of our wonderful HandsOn student coordinators!

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Let's talk service

Hello! My name is Ava Gustin and I am serving as one of the new co-student coordinators for HandsOn this year! First of all, I want to say that I am so excited you are here reading our newsletter! Being interested in service is the first step to making a lasting difference and no act is too small to make a difference.

Some of my favorite opportunities for service have come through volunteering with Stormont Vail Health Center and K-State Alzheimer's Buddies! I love service because of the way you are able to directly connect to community members in your area and make a positive impact in their lives. There are certain shifts and conversations from my time as a volunteer that I will never forget.

Volunteering has also been my "why" for seeking an undergraduate degree in Social Transformation Studies on the pre-medicine track here at K-State! Whether you have been volunteering for years, or this is your first step, HandsOn is here to connect you to meaningful opportunities that make our lives in the Manhattan area a little bit brighter!

Volunteer opportunities

Mobile Food Distributions

Mobile Food Distributions are back!. As always, we have these wonderful monthly events partnered with Harvesters Community Food Network.

Because the training is straightforward and fast, and the work is meaningful as we fulfill this need in the Manhattan community, fod distributions are a great opportunity even if you are brand new to service. We also look forward to connecting with returning volunteers, some from the community and some from campus.

Our dates for this semester will still begin at 4 p.m. on these Fridays: Septe. 11, Oct. 9, and Nov. 13.

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; register to volunteer at this link.

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

Coaching Opportunities - Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run coaches are trained volunteers who lead a small team of 3rd-5th grade girls through structured practices twice each week for 90 minutes. Coaches facilitate a social-emotional curriculum, which creatively integrates running and helps girls build confidence, healthy habits, and inner strength.

For college students, coaching can be so much more than a volunteer experience. If you are interested in a longer-term service opportunity, this is the perfect way to get involved in the community!

Students can learn more about Girls on the Run here, or email Melissa Colby at melissa.colby@gotrflinthills.org with questions.

PraiseFest - Peace-full Pantry

We have so many volunteers reach out and say “I would love to volunteer, but I don’t want that to cut into my passion of attending local concerts!” We’ve heard your concerns, and we have the solution! Peace-full Pantry needs 15 volunteers for one hour Saturday, Sept. 26, to work a booth at Praisefest in Cico Park.

Volunteers meet at 6:15 p.m. and head to the main stage to take up an offering before the main performance begins. Afterwards, volunteers are free (and encouraged!) to stay and enjoy the concert.

A portion of the proceeds for this awesome event go to the Peace-full Pantry nonprofit to help fund their incredible organization. To learn more or to sign up to volunteer, visit the Peace-full Pantry website. You can also learn more about Praisefest here.

Email handson@k-state.edu for more information.

Volunteer Firefighting - Blue Township Fire Department

Every year, there are amazing Wildcats and community members who volunteer their time at the Blue Township Fire Department. This intensive service work develops important skills, creates opportunities, and helps protect our citizens. Training and gear are provided, and with volunteer status, there are no set times or shifts that are necessary for participation. The firefighters meet bimonthly, and do incredible work to keep our community safe!

If you are interested in applying for this position, follow this link to the volunteer firefighter application.

Employment Opportunity - Boys and Girls Club

If you are looking for a flexible and rewarding part-time job for the school year, this is a perfect opportunity or a paid service experience. The Boys and Girls Club is an awesome nonprofit that offers childcare and developmental experiences through K-12 after-school programs. With 10 schools in our local area, they need all the program leaders they can get!

If you are interested in this position, follow this link to the Program Leader application, or check out the Boys and Girls Club website to learn more.

Volunteering Opportunities - Junction City Arts Council

If you are interested in volunteering and working with children, but maybe you don't have the time or need for a job with the Boys and Girls Club, the Junction City Arts Council is also looking for volunteers for their after school program starting Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Weekdays from 5-6 p.m., volunteers help setup, cleanup, and assist the kids during the sessions. This is yet another incredible way to get involved, especially for any education majors (Hey, EdCats!) looking for some experience.

The Junction City Arts Council will also need volunteers for a Hometown Christmas event later this year, which is the perfect opportunity for holiday service, and offers a shorter time commitment for those with busy schedules.

For information about either of these volunteering opportunities, visit the Junction City Arts Council website, or email Sherry Frewerd at jcartscouncil1@gmail.com

HandsOn updates

Learn what HandsOn has been up to for the summer!

You may think that the school year starts in August, but for HandsOn, it starts in the summer!

Last month, we had the opportunity to engage with the Manhattan community for another year of Furniture Amnesty Day. Despite intense rain in the morning, we had 53 dedicated volunteers spend their Saturday with us. With the help of the City of Manhattan and the Fire Department, we picked up unwanted furniture, then transported it to campus where more volunteers organized everything so community members could browse and select what they wanted to take home with them, free of charge.

This year, we were able to provide 220 households within the Manhattan area with over 400 pieces of furniture! Our recipients included 150 children, 370 adults, 20 senior citizens, 118 university-affiliated individuals and 51 military-affiliated individuals. Whether it was college students finding a couch for their apartment or a family of five selecting their first dining room table, this furniture will have a lasting impact on the lives of those who attended our event.

A huge shoutout to all our volunteers who helped us save furniture from the landfills, and instead put it in the hands of those in need.

Thanks for reading the September edition of All HandsOn Deck.

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