Volunteer opportunities

The College of Engineering is thrilled to announce its new volunteer program and impactful partnerships with two organizations, the Pittsburgh Food Bank and Animal Friends.

As part of this program, the College’s talented faculty and staff will work closely with these partner organizations to address the challenges their operations face. Together, we aim to provide human capital to create and sustain meaningful volunteer opportunities, ultimately benefiting those in need within our community.

These partnerships align with our college’s mission of excellence in education and research and underscore our dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

All College of Engineering faculty and staff are eligible to participate. Individuals and groups of colleagues are encouraged to sign up together to volunteer between now and June 30, 2025. An end-of-year event will recognize participants, and prizes will be awarded to individuals and departments/offices.

Pittsburgh Food Bank

The Pittsburgh Food Bank works with a network of more than 1,000 partner agencies across 11 counties to ensure no one goes hungry, stabilize lives, and confront issues of chronic hunger, poor nutrition, and health. Through its advocacy efforts, the Pittsburgh Food Bank has become a primary driver in comprehensive anti-hunger endeavors at the regional, statewide, and national levels.

Volunteer opportunities

• Volunteer Engagement Center: Volunteers will work in the Volunteer Engagement Center to sort and pack food that will be distributed to community members. Please bring additional layers of clothing to your Volunteer Engagement Center shifts. The majority of projects involving refrigerated and frozen food will take place in the Cool Zone moving forward, which is approximately 55°F. The VEC has shifts available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Volunteers must be 12 years or older to volunteer in the VEC. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
• The Market: Volunteers will help with a variety of tasks to support The Market, including stocking shelves, accompanying visitors, and preparing food orders. The Market has shifts available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. All volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate.
• Direct Distribution: Drive-up: Volunteers will assist with loading the trunks of vehicles with loose grocery items, directing traffic or registering vehicles within the distribution line. Drive-up distributions occur outside, rain or shine. Volunteers must be 15 years or older to participate.

Animal Friends

For more than 80 years, Animal Friends has been saving, impacting, engaging, enriching, and affecting the lives of the pets and people of our region. Animal Friends is a full-service companion animal welfare organization that serves the pets and people of Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. With its progressive programs, the organization is leading the way toward making our community a safer and more humane place.

Volunteer opportunities

Individual volunteering:
To become a volunteer with Animal Friends:

• Participants are required to RSVP and attend the Getting Started Orientation.
  • If you wish to work directly with the animals, you must complete additional training following the orientation. Animal handlers are asked to make a monthly commitment to the volunteer program.
  • If you wish to become a Volunteer Foster, you must attend a foster training workshop after you have completed your orientation.
• Volunteers should have a genuine interest in animal welfare and Animal Friends’ mission and vision.

Group volunteering:
Groups can also organize a day of service, coordinate a pet food drive, or plan an event to make toys or puzzles for the pets. For more information, check out Animal Friends’ Day of Service opportunities, or contact Kristyn Miller, Animal Friends Manager of Volunteer and Administrative Services, by emailing her at KMiller@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or by calling her at 412-847-7040.