Volunteer
Get Involved & Volunteer
The Campus Cupboard is always in need of volunteers to help maintain daily operations through the various initiatives and events! On the events page you'll see specific upcoming events you can volunteer for, look for the teal text.
Not ready to commit to a volunteer shift? Walk-up volunteers are always welcome! Any time you can give makes a big impact.
Email us at cupboard@uarkon.edu if you would like to add your name to our volunteer email list.
Restocking
The Campus Cupboard manages a walk-in space for student to shop food, hygiene, and other household products. We need your help processing our delivery and restocking the Cupboard shelves.
Tasks: moving boxes, lifting, unpacking boxes, breaking down boxes, counting, organizing and restocking shelves.
Location: Simmons Hall, Lobby - check in at the front desk
What to Wear: comfortable shoes and clothes they don't mind getting dirty.
A Cupboard staff member will be present to guide and answer questions.
Food Distributions
The Campus Cupboard partners with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and The Salvation Army of Summit County to host a large scale food distributions each month. This event typically serves over 140 individuals in the UA community and takes place come rain or snow!
Tasks: help greet/check in students and community members, keep tables stocked with items available, breakdown boxes/clean up and other miscellaneous tasks.
Location: the parking lot next to Simmons Hall on the corner of Buchtel & College (Lot 24). Inclement weather: location moves to Simmons Hall Lobby
What to Wear: weather appropriate clothing (this event is outside), comfortable shoes and clothes that can get dirty.
A Cupboard staff member will be present to guide and answer questions.
Summit Fresh Mobile Market
The Campus Cupboard partners with the Summit Fresh Mobile Market to bring convenient, affordable, fresh groceries to campus via the Mobile Market.
Tasks: help greet/check in students and community members, assist shoppers, answer questions, bag items, and other miscellaneous tasks.
Location: in the parking lot next to Simmons Hall on the corner of Buchtel & College (Lot 24).
What to Wear: weather appropriate clothing (this event is outside), comfortable shoes and clothes that can get dirty.
A Cupboard staff member will be present to guide and answer questions.
Campus Community Garden
The Campus Community Garden was established in an effort to provide healthy, fresh produce to students in need through the Campus Cupboard. The space was informed by students and designed with purpose, the garden all provides a tranquil space for Zips to gather and relax.
Tasks: general garden maintenance from pulling weeds, planting and watering to installing new garden additions.
Location: 116 Fir Hill, Akron Ohio 44304, search CCG on UA campus map
What to Wear: closed toed shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Gloves are provided.
Months available for sign ups: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, and October.
Become a certified garden watering volunteer. Anyone in the UA community can complete this training and must commit to at least watering the garden 1 day a week for a month (4 hour commitment).
- This is a flexible opportunity—water whenever it fits your schedule!
A Cupboard staff member will be present to guide and answer questions.
Sign up to get your hands dirty!
Roo-Store
The Roo-Store concept was developed in response to student feedback as a sustainability initiative, addressing needs beyond food by providing home and dorm furnishing items such as tables, chairs, and kitchen appliances.
Tasks: clean and set up shopping space, greet/check in students/faculty/staff, maintain an organized space, help bag items, unload/load the box truck, and other miscellaneous tasks.
Location: Simmons Hall, Lobby
What to Wear: comfortable shoes and clothes they don't mind getting dirty.
A Cupboard staff member will be present to guide and answer questions.
Does your organization want to get involved with the Campus Cupboard through a volunteer experience?
Contact us at cupboard@uakron.edu to let us know you’re interested. We have a variety of volunteer options listed below.
Build Your Own Volunteer Experience: Create a volunteer experience that works best for your organization! Groups can choose the date, time, and type of activity that aligns with their interests and availability. Volunteer experiences may include supporting Campus Cupboard operations, counting and organizing donated items, assisting with the Campus Community Garden, helping with the mobile market or food distributions, and supporting special projects.
"Take Over" An Existing Volunteer Opportunity: Groups may also have the opportunity to “take over” an existing volunteer event. To view available opportunities, visit our volunteer sign-up page and scroll to the Campus Cupboard section. Review the available dates and events, then email us with the opportunities that work best for your organization and the dates you would like to reserve.
Campus Cupboard Presentations: Interested in learning more about food insecurity, basic needs support, and the impact of the Campus Cupboard? Organizations can request a presentation for their group to learn more about our programs, how we support University of Akron students, and ways they can get involved.
Minimum Requirements: Groups must commit to providing a minimum of 5–10 volunteers, depending on the event, to ensure we have enough support for the scheduled activity. Volunteer opportunities are generally available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Weekend volunteer requests may be considered but require a minimum of 15 volunteers and may have more limited task options based on program needs and availability.
Have your own idea and don’t see it listed? Let us know! We are happy to work with your organization to create a meaningful experience.