Impact
Local Service
Local Service Opportunities are a great way to get involved in the Auburn-Opelika community on a schedule that works for you. Offered Monday through Friday, these service opportunities allow you to find a cause that matches your interests, serve for two hours, meet other volunteers, and connect with community partners.
How to Get Involved:
- Sign Up for Projects: Visit the Service tab on AUinvolve to explore available service opportunities. Sign up in advance through GivePulse to secure your spot.
- Prepare for Your Project: Some service sites require specific attire, such as close-toed shoes and modest clothing. Please check the event description for details.
Local Service Projects
View descriptions and details for each service project. If you have questions, contact IMPACT by phone at 334-844-1344 or by email at impact@auburn.edu.
| Project | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUMC Food Pantry* | 8:00 - 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | |||
| Campus Food Pantry*^ | 2:30 - 4:30 PM | ||||
| Bighouse Foundation | 3:00 - 5:00 PM | 3:00 - 5:00 PM | |||
| Community Market* | 1:00 - 3:00 PM | 1:00 - 3:00 PM | |||
| Food Bank of East Alabama*~ | 8:00 - 10:00 AM | 8:00 - 10:00 AM | 1:00 - 3:00 PM | 8:00 - 10:00 AM | |
| I Am My Brother's Keeper~ | 3:45 - 5:45 PM | 3:45 - 5:45 PM | 3:45 - 5:45 PM | 3:45 - 5:45 PM | |
| Kreher Preserve and Nature Center* | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | 3:15 - 5:15 PM | 3:15 - 5:15 PM | 3:15 - 5:15 PM | |
| Storybook Farm* | 2:30 - 4:30 PM | 2:30 - 4:30 PM | 2:30 - 4:30 PM | 2:30 - 4:30 PM | |
| Azalea Place | 2:30 - 4:30 PM | 2:30 - 4:30 PM | |||
| Camellia Place | 1:30 - 3:30 PM |
*Closed toe shoes required
^Meet at Lupton Hall (Lower Quad)
~Modest clothes required (No athletic attire)
You might be wondering...
Signing up is easy! Students can register for Local Service opportunities through AUinvolve by visiting the Service tab or by going directly to GivePulse. After signing up, students will receive additional details about their service site, including important instructions and information from their Project Coordinator.
After signing up, students have two transportation options. They can either meet at the Intramural Fields and ride with their Project Coordinator (PC) to the service site or drive directly to the site.
Students riding with a PC should arrive at the Intramural Fields at least five minutes before their scheduled service time. PCs will depart the Intramural Fields at the listed service time, so students driving directly to the service site should be aware that their PC and other volunteers may not arrive until a few minutes after the listed time. Once you arrive at the site, look for your PC (they should be wearing IMPACT or Auburn attire and a name tag) to receive your site instructions.
Once students arrive, their PC will review important reminders, expectations, and tasks for the day. Students may also hear from a representative of the community partner organization about the impact of the work they will be doing.
PCs are there to support volunteers throughout the experience by answering questions, facilitating reflection, and helping create a meaningful service experience. At the end of service, PCs will check students in and verify their hours in GivePulse. Before leaving, students should confirm that their attendance has been recorded so they receive credit for their service hours.
You can volunteer with IMPACT as often as you'd like — whether that’s weekly, monthly, or just once! Feel free to explore different projects throughout the semester to find the opportunities that resonate with you the most. There’s no limit to how many times you can make a difference!
Major Service Events
Our Major Service Events are designed to bring the Auburn community together for large-scale days of service, showing our gratitude to the Auburn-Opelika area. These events allow students to make a significant impact while fostering a spirit of unity and giving back.
Major Service Events
Rooted
Rooted: A Day of Service, is an opportunity for AU students to become “rooted” in the local community through service. Through a variety of service projects at the homes of approximately 40 local residents, this afternoon of service is one of IMPACT’s intentional ways of connecting campus and community. Led by Project Coordinators, each project site hosts a team of up to 10 student volunteers. Rooted is a great way to get connected during a beautiful fall day each October. Show More
Sign Up to Serve with Rooted!MLK Day of Service
Held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, IMPACT, and the Black Student Union collaborate each January to provide students an opportunity to engage in meaningful service that addresses social justice and community needs. Volunteers participate in a variety of projects that support local nonprofits and underserved communities, promoting unity and civic engagement. This day reminds us of the power of service to bring about positive change. Show More
Sign Up to Serve with MLK Day of Service!The Big Event
Since it began in 2003, The BIG Event has been Auburn’s largest one-day student-run service project, bringing together hundreds of students to serve local residents each year at the end of March. Volunteers tackle a wide range of tasks, from yard work to basic home improvements, reflecting the university’s commitment to serving the greater Auburn-Opelika community. It’s a way for students to say thank you for making Auburn-Opelika a great place to live! The BIG Event is a celebration of the strong bond between AU students and the surrounding community through acts of kindness and service. Show More
Sign Up to Serve with The Big Event!Email impact@auburn.edu for additional questions and assistance
You might be wondering...
You can find all major service events on the Service tab of AUinvolve that links to Auburn’s GivePulse site. Click the event hyperlink and follow the steps to register online. To ensure a spot, register in advance. However, you can simply show up on the day of the event and volunteer if space allows.
Yes! You have the option to create a new team or sign up with an existing team when you register to participate in the event. Each team may have up to 10 volunteers.
Typical activities include raking leaves, trash removal, simple construction projects, weed or plant removal, basic cleaning, organizing, etc. No special skills are necessary to participate in any major service event!
All Major Days of Service begin with a kickoff event where participants will:
- Check in
- Meet their volunteer team and Project Coordinator (PC)
- Hear important event information, safety reminders, and a brief welcome
- Enjoy snacks and refreshments
- Travel to their service sites
Event updates and instructions will be communicated through GivePulse notifications, so keep an eye on your email inbox!
Alternative Breaks
IMPACT's Alternative Breaks offer students the opportunity to travel, serve, and learn in communities outside of Auburn during spring break. These trips are a great way to step outside your comfort zone, meet new people, and make a meaningful impact through service in a new environment.”
Key Highlights:
- Travel and Serve: Explore new places while making a difference through service.
- Affordable Travel: Travel, lodging, and service opportunities are provided at no cost to Auburn students, so you can focus on making memories, building connections, and serving others. We want every student to have the opportunity to participate, regardless of financial circumstances.
You might be wondering...
Any full-time enrolled AU student who pays Student Activity Fees is qualified to join an Alternative Break team. Interested students can submit an application on AUinvolve, and applicants will be notified of the selection decision well in advance of the trip dates. Typically, each team is comprised of approximately 10 student participants, a student site leader, and a faculty/staff trip advisor.
Domestic trips are currently free for Auburn students. Students are responsible for purchasing their own souvenirs, snacks, or other personal items. Most teams can expect to stay in bunk-style lodging with a communal atmosphere. Meals are typically prepared by team members in a shared kitchen, including packed lunches for when teams are at service sites during the day. Each person can expect to have their own bed/cot, with access to private showers and rooms separated by gender.
Trips depart campus the Saturday after final exams end in December or classes end before Spring Break, with trips returning the following Friday. The first and last days are typically reserved for travel to or from the destination. Sunday is usually spent exploring the city and engaging in cultural activities. The remaining days are spent serving with nonprofit partners, typically for six hours per day. Each evening, after cooking dinner together, everyone engages in group reflection to make sense of the day’s events and foster deeper learning.
GivePulse
GivePulse serves as the hub for Auburn University service opportunities, volunteer hour tracking, engagement and more. To sign up for IMPACT service opportunities, as well as various opportunities through AUDM and BBFD, students can use GivePulse to search for opportunities, register to serve, track their hours, and receive important updates. Students can access GivePulse using the button below or by visiting AUinvolve and selecting the Service tab.
Upcoming Service Opportunities
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Alternative Breaks Interest Session 2026 (Cancelled)
Join us for an interest session about...
Alternative Breaks Interest Session 2026 (Cancelled)Alternative Breaks Interest Session 2026 (Cancelled) 5:00 PM - Join us for an interest session about- Date
- Location
- Melton Student Center - Student Involvement Suite
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Alternative Breaks Interest Session 2026
Join us for an interest session about...
Alternative Breaks Interest Session 2026Alternative Breaks Interest Session 2026 5:00 PM - Join us for an interest session about- Date
- Location
- Student Involvement Suite
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Alternative Breaks Interest Session 2026
Join IMPACT Alternative Breaks for an...
Alternative Breaks Interest Session 2026Alternative Breaks Interest Session 2026 5:00 PM - Join IMPACT Alternative Breaks for an- Date
- Location
- Melton Student Center - Student Involvement Suite
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IMPACT All-Staff Meeting
IMPACT's Monthly Staff Meeting - Open to...
IMPACT All-Staff MeetingIMPACT All-Staff Meeting 6:00 PM - IMPACT's Monthly Staff Meeting - Open to- Date
- Location
- ACLC 010
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Rooted: Day of Service
IMPACT is hosting ROOTED in Service, a...
Rooted: Day of ServiceRooted: Day of Service 1:00 PM - IMPACT is hosting ROOTED in Service, a- Date
- Location
- Melton Student Center Ballroom
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IMPACT All-Staff Meeting
IMPACT's Monthly Staff Meeting - Open to...
IMPACT All-Staff MeetingIMPACT All-Staff Meeting 6:00 PM - IMPACT's Monthly Staff Meeting - Open to- Date
- Location
- ACLC 010
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IMPACT All-Staff Meeting
IMPACT's Monthly Staff Meeting - Open to...
IMPACT All-Staff MeetingIMPACT All-Staff Meeting 6:00 PM - IMPACT's Monthly Staff Meeting - Open to- Date
- Location
- ACLC 010
More Events
Student Involvement programs and activities are open to all Auburn University students, and every student is welcome and encouraged to participate.
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255 Heisman Drive
Harold D. Melton Student Center, Suite 3130
Auburn, AL 36849
