Community Service
Better Together Service Day with BECU
Sun. May 4, 2025 9 a.m–12 p.m.
Washington Commons: 4333 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105
Pitch in with your fellow Huskies!
Join the UWAA, BECU and the U District Partnership for a volunteer service day in the University District. Many of the community members and small businesses in the U District could use a helping hand right now, and our Huskies are here for it! This year we are expanding the event to partner with five neighborhood organizations, working together on issues from litter to graffiti to food insecurity.
Gather at 9 a.m. at Washington Commons, just off the courtyard that is immediately south of UW Tower, for bagels, tea and coffee with your fellow Husky volunteers. (Get location, directions and parking information for Washington Commons.) Then we will dive in and get to work. Meet new people and come together in community to make a difference! When you register, you will choose from these activity options.
Cleaning Up the University District
Stencil storm drains, clean windows at local shops, pick up trash, and report graffiti on the Find It Fix It app. Activities will take place outside and require walking around, bending, lifting and cleaning. Activity level: Moderate
- The U District Partnership serves all who work in, live in, and visit Seattle’s University District. We work to foster and sustain a vibrant, diverse, and healthy neighborhood for the common good.
Preparing and Organizing Food — SESSION FULL
Support behind-the-scenes prep and organization at the University District Food Bank. Activities will take place indoors, and involve walking (to the food bank at 50th Street & Roosevelt Way, a ten-minute stroll), bending, packing, lifting and cleaning. Activity level: Moderate
- The University District Food Bank has a mission is to support people experiencing food insecurity in Northeast Seattle by providing high quality, culturally familiar food and connecting them with vital resources.
Serving Food at the Peoples’ Breakfast — SESSION FULL
Help serve a hot breakfast to people and families at University Heights Community Center. Activities will take place outdoors, and involve walking (to University Heights at 50th Street & University Way, a six-minute stroll), standing and social interaction. Activity level: Moderate
- Seattle Mutual Aid Coalition is an action-oriented group that provides free breakfast, every single Sunday, for all who need it.
Supporting UW Pantry and Friday Feast
Wrap up cutlery and write encouraging notes for community members who come to Friday Feast. Pack toiletry kits for distribution at the UW Food Pantry. Activities will take place indoors at Washington Commons (no walking required!) and involve repetitive actions like writing, packing small items and wrapping napkins around cutlery. This work can be done standing or sitting. Activity level: Low
- Friday Feast is one of Seattle’s longest running community meals. Every Friday, for nearly 30 years, Church on the Ave staff has worked with an army of dedicated volunteers to turn donated food and supplies into a restaurant quality meal for our neighbors in need.
- UW Food Pantry provides food to students, staff, and faculty who may be experiencing short-term food insecurity. If folks are making a choice between the food they need for a healthy life and other pressing priorities, they are here to relieve some of the stress of that experience.
Donation Drop-Off Week: Mon. April 28–Fri. May 2
In addition to our volunteer day, the UWAA is accepting donations of food and requested supplies to help support our participating community partners as they help our U District community. (Please, no cash donations.)
Location: Washington Commons Lobby, just off the courtyard that is immediately south of UW Tower. (Get location, directions and parking information for Washington Commons.) Donation bins will be set up near Front Desk area. Washington Commons is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Registered volunteers may bring in-kind donations on the event date.
See the list of donation requests
Meet new people and come together in community to make a difference!
Students, alumni, UW staff and faculty and community members are all welcome to join this event. All participants must be at least 16 years old.
Thanks to our title partner:
Additional thanks to our community organization partners:
University District Food Bank | The UW Food Pantry
Seattle Mutual Aid Coalition | Friday Feast
