As fall rolls in, so do volunteering opportunities that suit the season such as Harvesters and Life Unlimited. Harvesters provide food for food pantries, community kitchens and different homeless shelters. There are branded barrels around the Kansas City area. To find out where they are closest, one can go to the food locator on the Harvester’s website. Life Unlimited supports people with developmental disabilities by providing community and living options, employment assistance and recreational activities. Through October and November, there are opportunities to blow leaves on their main campus to help keep their campus clean.

Senior Sumi Skotipalli has been volunteering at St. Luke’s Hospital due to a nursing shortage at many hospitals. Volunteering has helped Skotipalli with communication skills. Skotipalli sits at the front desk and tells people where to go around the hospital. 

“I think it’s important to give back to the community,” Skotipalli said.

Freshman Claire Herrold plans to volunteer for the Special Olympics and with Shadow Buddies, an organization for terminally ill patients, this fall. At Shadow Buddies, Herrold will be making dolls for the kids. The reason she volunteers is because it makes her feel good.

“Helping your community is what being a part of a community is about,” Herrold said.

Both students recommend volunteering because of its benefits to the community. Skotipalli also talked about how easy the process is to find volunteering opportunities. 

“Google some organizations,” Skotipalli said, “and then grab a friend to make it more fun.” 

Skotipalli’s experiences are another reinforcement of the community values surrounding volunteering. That it can be incredibly fulfilling for yourself, especially when choosing to include others.