A part of the Marshall family, many of us want to help the university in some way. There are countless opportunities to change lives for the better, and they don’t always involve dollar signs. They just require a little time, energy and care. Some require a special skillset that maybe you can share, and some just need your presence and your smile. It’s up to you to find the perfect gifts that only you can provide, but we thought we’d highlight a handful of the ways that you can get involved.
Some help our students. Some help our campus. Some help Marshall’s surrounding community. But all of these service opportunities come with perks — meeting new friends, helping someone who needs it, and the satisfaction that only comes from knowing you spent your time wisely and made a difference.
1 – Help at the Campus Thrift Store
Now located at 1810 Sixth Ave., the Marshall Thrift Store is a great way to give back on campus — and it’s air conditioned! Established in fall 2021, the store is open to students only and aims to provide affordable access to essential items throughout the semester. The Sustainability Department is responsible for staffing and maintaining the Thrift Store.
Students can purchase a reusable bag for a flat rate of $3 and fill it with as many items as they can. Then, students can return with the same bag and refill it for just $1. The store exclusively accepts Herd Points as payment.
Donations are also welcome, so clean out those closets and set up a time to swing by.
Contact: [email protected] or 304-696-2992
2 – Volunteer at the Food Pantry
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that about 3.8 million college students experienced food insecurity in 2020. The struggle of food insecurity is real in Huntington among our college students and community. Marshall University is fighting this battle by giving students and community members access to a food pantry.
Our mission is to eliminate hunger at Marshall University by providing food and promoting nutrition to our students and the community. We pride ourselves on providing a variety of nutrient-dense foods so we can help members of the Marshall and Huntington community maintain a well-balanced diet. Every customer is allowed to come once a week. The food pantry strives to feed as many clients as possible by providing shelf stable food, frozen meats, and canned and fresh foods.
How to Help
- Donate: We continually accept donations of food, recyclable bags and toiletries. View the Marshall Food Pantry Wish List for the types of food and hygiene product donations we are looking for. Donations may be dropped off at the food pantry during operational hours.
- Spread the Word: Alert students, staff members, campus community and alumni about the Marshall University Food Pantry.
- Participate: We rely on volunteers to help customers shop and help with events.
Anyone can donate items or money to the Marshall Food Pantry during operational hours. For the most up-to-date operational hours, visit www.marshall.edu/foodpantry/.
Contact: [email protected] or 304-696-2776
3 – Become a Mentor
The Marshall University Office of Alumni Relations and Marshall University Career Education offer the opportunity to support and assist students who are currently walking the same academic path you walked. By becoming an alumni mentor, you can:
- Create an environment of open communication and active listening
- Share knowledge about your education,
- career path, successes, failures, and what your experience taught you
- Encourage as students prepare for their careers
- Increase the value of your Marshall degree by investing in future alumni
Herd Connect allows you to control the number of students you mentor at one time. By completing the form, you decide what information you want them to see about you in your mentor profile. Once you complete the form, students will be able to select mentors from the information provided.
