Community Engagement Blog

How we do community engagement at Missouri State

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Half Way Through!

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Hey Bears – Angela here!

You’ve almost made it to midterms! Congrats!

Listed below are Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities within our area.

If you aren’t already signed up, Give Pulse and the Point App

are two great resources for finding local volunteer events.

If you have any questions, please email us –>  cce@missouristate.edu

Eden Village

Every THIRD Saturday of each month is a general work day at Eden Village. The more help the better! The time is from 9:00 to noon and we will even feed you pizza for lunch if you choose to stay! This work is mostly outdoors such as landscaping, gardening, painting, cleaning etc.

Location is at Eden Village 2 at 3155 W Brower. Hope to see you there!
Available Dates to Sign-up:
11/20/21
01/15/22
02/19/22
03/19/22

OATS, Inc. Fund-A-Bus Shoe Drive

OATS, Inc. Launches Fund-A-Bus Shoe Drive (Columbia, MO, October 30, 2017) – OATS, Inc., a Missouri-based non-profit company, is conducting a Fund-A-Bus shoe drive, which will run through the end of this year to raise money for a new bus. OATS will earn money based on the total weight of shoes collected, and hopes to collect more than 2,500 pair of shoes. OATS has partnered with Funds2Orgs, who will issue a check for the collected shoes. The money raised will go toward the 20% local match to purchase a new bus. Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used and new shoes at any OATS’ regional office or by giving to any OATS’ driver. Donated shoes are redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise partners. They work with micro-entrepreneurs in helping them create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited. Proceeds from the sales of the shoes collected in shoe drive fundraisers are used to feed, clothe and house their families. “We are excited about the shoe drive,” said Susan Streit, Volunteer Coordinator. “We raise money to help with the purchase of a new vehicle, plus we have the chance to help families in developing countries who need economic opportunities. It’s a win-win for everyone.” By donating gently worn, used and new shoes to OATS, the shoes will be given a second chance and make a difference in people’s lives around the world. OATS, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation providing transportation for the rural general public of all ages, to those with disabilities and senior citizens in 87 Missouri counties. Our services range from taking toddlers to pre-school, getting people to work each day, taking people to life-saving appointments, and shopping so they can continue to live independently in their own communities. OATS has grown to be one of the largest and most unique systems of its kind in the country. More information can be found at www.oatstransit.org. or email Susan at: sstreit@oatstransit.org. Reach out if you can help collect shoes.

Newspaper Reader

Audio-Reader is seeking volunteer readers for a daily (M-F) live broadcast of Springfield-area newspapers. Time commitment is once per week, 2.5 hours from 1:30-4pm. The broadcast will originate from the Missouri Council of the Blind Thrift Store, 2713 N Kansas Expy in Springfield. Auditions will be held there January 23-24, 2018. For more info or to schedule an audition, call Jennifer at 785-864-4604 or email jnigro@ku.edu.
Positions
20 Remaining
Age Limit
18 and up
Requirement Details
Volunteers must pass an audition consisting of a 100 word pronunciation test and a series of reading samples. Auditions will be held January 23-24. Contact Jennifer at 785-864-4604 or jnigro@ku.edu to schedule.
Road To Recovery- American Cancer Society

Road To Recovery is an American Cancer Society program designed to help improve the quality of life and reduce barriers to care for cancer patients undergoing active treatment by transporting them to and from cancer-related treatment appointments.

The Road To Recovery Volunteer driver can help provide people with transportation to and from their cancer-related treatment appointments. Drivers donate their time and the use of their personal vehicles to help ensure that people with cancer get the treatments they need. Volunteer drivers are also there to show support and provide information and resource referrals coordinated through the American Cancer Society.

Responsibilities include:

·         Follows program guidelines and maintains required volunteer eligibility requirements.

·         Provides ride(s) as agreed upon.

·         Verification of completed COVID-19 vaccination status

·         Completes all necessary transportation documentation information.

·         Reports all changes with contact information, availability, insurance coverage and driving eligibility to the Society in a timely manner.

·         Reports traffic accidents and violations to the Society within 24 hours of occurrence.

·         Abides by the Society’s privacy and confidentiality policies.

·         Internet access.

Positions
10 Remaining
Requirement Details

Volunteer Driver Qualifications:

·      Drivers must be between 18 and 84

·         Good driving record

·         Current, valid driver’s license

·         Access to safe reliable vehicle

·         Proof of adequate automobile insurance

·         Complete American Cancer Society training course and background check

·         Availability Monday through Saturday during the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

·         If cancer survivor, must be one year post-treatment.

 

We are looking forward to a great second half of the semester!
Enjoy the break and Happy Volunteering!

GREEK WEEK DONATION DRIVE

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When trying to figure out a cause to collect donations for, the Greek Week committee decided that they wanted to support the Missouri State community. This was when they established a partnership with the Bear Pantry to collect donations as a part of a competition for Greek Week. Organizations in the Fraternity and Sorority life community competed to collect the largest donation measured in pounds. The competitive nature of FSL led this event to be the largest donation drive in the history of the Bear Pantry. By the end of the week, 15,207 pounds of items were collected. This is more than 13,000 pounds higher than our previous record. Most donations included heavier items such as laundry detergent and canned food items. We are amazed every day by the drive and determination of the Missouri State community. Involvement in events like these is what spreads the word about the Bear Pantry and allows us to keep growing.

 

A National Protein Day Celebration

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On Sunday, February 27th, Delta Chi Fraternity donated 697 lbs of protein for National protein day. The food drive was organized by our student worker, Tad Monnig who is also our volunteer coordinator. When Delta Chi came to donate the goods to the pantry, they also helped us label and sort the cans, allowing them to be ready to stock on the shelves. The donation included pinto beans, black beans, chili beans, red beans, peanut butter, canned ham, tuna, refried beans, vienna sausage, chicken, etc. Protein is a highly needed item in all of our members diets and normally flies off the shelves. We were so thankful to be able to build this back stock for consistent protein distribution!

A Semester of Donations: 2021 First Semester Spotlight

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This fall 2021 semester, an astonishing amount of donations have been distributed to the Bear Pantry. In total, the pantry received had 6,724.83 lbs of items. This is compared 4,202 lbs of donations in fall semester 2020. This significant increase in donations has a lot to do with our growth in food drives and events that have been implemented to collect food and non-food items. The biggest donation from not only this semester, but that we have ever had, was the food drive led by the Fraternity and Sorority Life community. They collected 2,048 lbs of items, which is almost a third of our total number. Other food drives have included the Student Dietetics Association Halloween Drive, drives led by different student organizations, donation bins across campus, and students leading their own food drives in residence halls. Our second largest donation this semester was from Residence Life with 1,048.38 lbs. This donation included around 300 lbs of food, with the rest being mass distribution boxes of cleaning and hygiene products. The total amount of donations for the 20-21 school year was 10,088.7 lbs, and we are already more than halfway there!

Utilizing the Bear Pantry to Build your Plate

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At the Bear Pantry, we want to make every meal count! With many items available at the Bear Pantry, the options are endless.

To create a meal that is nutrient dense and diverse in food groups, we like to consider MyPlate as a guide. MyPlate is the federal government’s primary food group symbol. It was created to be a consumer-friendly guideline to help make healthy food choices.

Inclusion of food groups within the MyPlate guidelines:

Fruits

  • Important sources of essential nutrients including potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate.

Vegetables

  • Important sources of potassium, dietary fiber, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin C.

Grains 

  • Important sources of complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and several B vitamins.
  • Carbohydrates are the body’s main and preferred source of energy. It helps fuel your brain, kidneys, heart muscles, and central nervous system.

Protein

  • Protein is needed in the body to help repair cells and make new ones. Protein allows the body the ability to repair itself.

Dairy

  • Dairy contains calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin B12, protein, potassium, zinc, choline, magnesium, and selenium.
  • Calcium helps the body strengthen bones and teeth.

When shopping at the Bear Pantry, try keeping in mind the aspects of the MyPlate guidelines to create a balanced meal with the options available. Peaches, pears, or mixed fruit from the pantry can fulfill the fruit group. Fresh vegetables grown at the Campus Community Garden or canned green beans, canned carrots, and canned peas can be added to your plate to provide a vegetable. Items like bread and rice can be used to incorporate a grain. Options found in the Bear Pantry include canned chicken and canned beans, which are great sources of protein. Lastly, milk and yogurt can be used to fulfill the needs of dairy products within the diet.

Begin making every meal count at the Bear Pantry today! The Bear Pantry is open on Mondays 10 am- 3 pm, Tuesdays 10 am – 3 pm, Wednesdays 12 pm – 5 pm, and Thursdays 10 am- 3 pm. It’s a resource for all MSU students, staff, and faculty.