Civic Engagement Annual Events
Civic engagement is embedded into Carnegie Mellon's culture. No matter what time of year it is, you can find opportunities to give back and to lean into the CMU and Pittsburgh communities. SLICE's annual civic engagement opportunities are available to undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff both on-campus and in the local community.
Fall Semester
Days of Service
Volunteer with your fellow Tartans during CMU's Days of Service, which include both small and large scale opportunities.
Volunteer Fair
Friday, September 1, 2023
Connect to Opportunities: Talk with individuals who are as passionate about civic engagement as you are. Students, faculty, staff and local alumni can connect with more than 50 local, non-profit and campus student organizations that focus on direct service, activism, philanthropy, and community building. Check back soon for the list of participating organizations.
Want to table? Community agencies and service-focused student organizations are the foundation of the Volunteer Fair. Interested participants should email Meggan to table at this year’s Fair.
The Civic Engagement Student Summit
The Civic Engagement Student Summit is an annual opportunity for students to network and attend sessions on best practices in civic engagement. The Summit is free and open to all students, undergraduate and graduate. Previous summits have featured break-out sessions on different topics such as philanthropy and community partnership building, as well as a keynote speaker. Information about the 2023 Student Summit will be available soon!
Season of Giving
Students, faculty, and staff have the opportunity to support local families and communities all-year-round with CMU's Season of Giving.
Rise Against Hunger
Dedicated individuals and organizations — from businesses to civic clubs — can participate in a hands-on international hunger relief program and become educated, engaged advocates for the world’s hungry. Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now) distributes food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable — mobilizing the necessary resources to end hunger by 2030. This volunteer-based initiative coordinates the assembly-line packaging of highly nutritious dehydrated meals comprised of rice, soy, vegetables and 23 essential vitamins and minerals. If you are interested in learning more or helping with CMU’s Rise Against Hunger event, please contact SLICE.
820 million people across the world don’t receive enough nutrition to lead an active, healthy life.
415,300 volunteers around the globe put their hands on hunger in 2019.
1.7 million lives nourished by Rise Against Hunger meals and other aid in 2019.
106,000+ meals packaged by more than 400 CMU community volunteers in November 2019 in 90 minutes.
Civic Engagement Appreciation Event
The Nexus of Civic Engagement recognizes civic engagement work being done by the CMU community during the Civic Engagement Appreciation Event. This event showcases the significant impact individuals and organizations are having in the community.
Wear your favorite shirt that represents your civic engagement experience, have your photo taken and share your story of why you serve.
The Whatever Drive
Taking place during Move-Out, the Whatever Drive is CMU's annual effort to divert unwanted, but still good, items from landfills, and instead donate them to campus initiatives and local community partners.
Donation station PODs or designated drop-off sites will be in place beginning the last week of classes. Donate your items at the spots most convenient for you!
Fairfax (POD in parking lot)
- April 27 - May 10: Everyday 4:30-7:30 pm
- May 13: 10 am-noon
Forbes Beeler (POD in parking lot)
- April 27 - May 10: Everyday 4:30-7:30 pm
- May 13: 10 am-noon
Nexus for Civic Engagement (first floor of the Cohon Center)
- April 23 - May 8: Monday through Friday, 9 am-4 pm
Highland Apartments (POD in parking lot)
- April 23 - 26: Everyday 10 am-noon
- April 27 - May 10: Monday through Friday, 10 am-noon, and everyday 4:30-7:30 pm
- May 13: 10 am-noon
Stever (basement)
- April 23 - 26: Everyday, 10 am-noon
- April 27 - May 10: Monday through Friday, 10 am-noon, and everyday 4:30-7:30 pm
- May 13: 10 am-noon
Hill location coming soon!
- April 23 - 26: Everyday, 10 am-noon
- April 27 - May 10: Monday through Friday, 10 am-noon, and everyday 4:30-7:30 pm
- May 13: 10 am-noon
Donations are accepted at drop-off times only. Any items left during closed hours will be collected as landfill trash.
Have items you need to donate outside drop-off hours? Many of the community partners listed below accept donations directly at their stores.
Accepted Items
We are specifically looking for clothing and shoes, kitchen goods, small appliances and electronics, books, office supplies, mini-fridges, unopened food, and bicycles.
All items should be clean and in still-working condition. Only donate items that can be reasonably carried by one individual.
Please do not donate large furniture, open food, foam, pillows, or stained clothing.
Community Partners
We are proud to sponsor our various community and campus partners. Learn more about their impactful work: