The Office of Community Engagement welcomes participation of students, community members, faculty, and staff in all of these annual community engagement events. You can participate by volunteering to be on the planning committee, offering to act as a group leader (helping to organize pre-service training and reflection activities), or attending/participating in the event. Please contact us for more information on how to get involved!
Monthly Events
Soup and Substance
Each month, the Office of Community Engagement sponsors a dialogue about social issues affecting our campus and local community. The event began as a student initiated series focused on issues of diversity and oppression; we continue to focus on how to make the community more welcoming; and inclusive through this series and welcome co-sponsorships by student or community organizations. Look at the campus events calendar for dates and topics.
Community Meal
On the last Monday of each month, a community meal is served from 5:30–7 p.m., and is free and open to any community member interested in eating in community with others. Volunteers find sponsors, purchase the food using funds provided by sponsors, and cook the meal (from noon–5 p.m. each day). Anyone is welcome to assist with sponsorships, meal planning, cooking, and cleaning after the meal—or just come and enjoy the food and fellowship!
Fall Semester
Fall Semseter Service Project
Each year, the Office of Community Engagement hosts a service project in September. The goal of the event is to introduce students to volunteer opportunities and agencies in the community and to provide needed services for those agencies. The day includes pre-service training, a hands-on service opportunity, reflection, and snacks.
Past projects have included painting the floor of the Morris Theatre, cleaning trash and weeding the pocket garden in downtown Morris, river clean up along the Pomme De Terre river, and playing bingo at Grandview nursing home. There were approximately 60 individuals who participated in the projects.
Trick or Can
Each October, the Office of Community Engagement sponsors an event called Trick or Can, designed to raise money and food/toiletries for the Stevens County Food Shelf.
In 2009, The Office of Community Engagement organized this event with the help of the David C. Johnson Independence Hall Civic Engagement floor and the Office of Residential Life. Approximately 60 students participated, gathering 1,212 pounds of food and $170 .
Spring Semester
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
In collaboration with the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Intercultural Programs, the Office of Residential Life, and Student Activities, Conferences, and Special Events, the Office of Community Engagement provides a day of diversity training, programming, and service designed to honor Martin Luther King’s life and legacy.
Six Ton Campaign
Love the Food Shelf Month
In March, the Stevens County Food Shelf gets additional funds for each can and dollar donated. For this reason, we designate February as Love the Food Shelf month and hold a food drive on campus and other educational events about local poverty so that we may deliver food and cash to the Food Shelf in early March to kick-off their collection efforts.
Bread ‘N Bowls
During the last week of classes each spring, the Office of Community Engagement sponsors an event called Bread ’N Bowls, a fundraiser focusing on combating community poverty and violence. University of Minnesota, Morris ceramics students, Morris Area High School art club students, and community artists donate ceramic bowls for the event. C ommunity businesses, organizations, and places of worship donate soup, bread, drinks, and dessert. Meals are $10 per person and include a handmade bowl. The final amount of food provided through the Six Ton campaign and winners of any contests associated with it are announced at the end of the event.
