Previous Community Service Projects
2021 Community Service Projects
Our campus has a tradition of volunteering and giving back to our campus and local communities as part of our Opening Week activities (Sept. 21st-24th this year).
Our Highline Serves! initiative gives each of us the opportunity to reach out and make a difference through volunteer service and/or supply donation. Information follows on this year's Opening Week service and donation opportunities. We welcome each of you to participate in whatever way works best for you.
If you’re willing to donate your time, we invite you to participate in our Highline Serves!
volunteer activities.
Opportunity #1
We are in search of volunteers to serve as Greeters to staff our two Student Welcome Back Campaign tables. One table will be located in front of building 6 and another table will be stationed near the south parking lot bus stop (near buildings 29 and 21). We will welcome students, direct people to the correct buildings, answer FAQ’s, hand out goodie bags/swag, and provide ThunderWeek materials.
Sept 27th-30th:
Monday-Thursday 10:00am-1:00pm
Oct 4th-7th:
Monday-Thursday 10:00am-1:00pm
Those who wish to declare an enthusiastic, “Hello Highline Scholar, welcome back to campus!” greeting are encouraged to sign up!
Sign up for a shift as a Greeter
Opportunity #2: Community Pantry Donation Drop-off(Contactless)
The Highline College Community Pantry provides incredibly valuable support for our Highline community. The Pantry is currently seeking donations for the new SHoRe (Student Housing & Retention) program. This program supports our recently housed WISH students (While in School Housing), and other students currently experiencing homelessness. Drop-off kitchen, household, and personal care items. Examples include:
- kitchen items such as tea towels, oven mitts, new pots/pans, cutting boards, storage containers, aluminum foil/plastic wrap, sandwich baggies, small appliances
- household items such as laundry soap, dish soap, disinfecting wipes, glass cleaner, toilet paper/paper towels, candles, garbage bags, floor mats, throw blankets
- personal care items such as (unused and unopened) razors, pads/tampons, deodorant, lotion, face/body wash, shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste
Donations will be distributed during the ThunderWeek distribution event as well as given to students this fall as they engage with the SHoRE program. The Community Pantry is not currently seeking food donations. Please contact communitypantry@highline.edu with questions.
Date: Kitchen, household, and personal care item donations will be accepted on Friday, September 24th from 10am-2pm.
How to Participate: Drop-off donations just outside of the Community Pantry by following the marked route as noted on the map. Please remember to wear your mask.
The Community Pantry accepts monetary donations through the Foundation. In order to make a donation, faculty/staff just need to fill in “Community Pantry” in the additional comments field at the bottom of this donation page. The Community Pantry can also receive donations via the payroll deduction form.
Directions: From Interstate 5
- Take exit:
- 149 (if you are coming from Seattle)
- 149B (if you are coming from Tacoma)
- Proceed west on Kent-Des Moines Road to Pacific Highway South
- Turn left (south) onto Pacific Highway South
- Turn right (west) onto College Way after Campus View Apartments
- Building 16 Parking Lot will be on your left.
- Signs will direct you to the Community Pantry Donation Drop-off.
No walk-up donations will be accepted.
Requested donation items (Please place items in boxes or bags for contactless drop-off.):
- Plastic bags and paper bags for item distribution
- Household cleaning supplies (ideally in individual rather than bulk containers to facilitate
- Hand soap
- Dishwashing soap
- Lysol wipes
- Paper towels
- Other useful donation items: Toothpaste, Feminine hygiene products (pads, tampons), Diapers
Opportunity #3
The Community Pantry accepts monetary donations through the Foundation. In order to make a
donation, faculty/staff just need to fill in "Community Pantry" in the additional comments field at
the bottom of this donation page. The Community Pantry can also receive donations via the
payroll deduction form.
The Foundation has also launched a COVID-19 Student Support giving campaign. These funds
are able to support students with a variety of COVID-related emergency financial needs, and
they have been extremely helpful for our students!
Highline Serves! 2020 Community Service Projects
Our campus has a tradition of volunteering and giving back to our campus and
local communities as part of our Opening Week activities (Sept. 22-25th this
year).
Our Highline Serves! initiative gives each of us the opportunity to reach
out and make a difference through volunteer service and/or supply donation.
Information follows on this year's Opening Week service and donation
opportunities. We welcome each of you to participate in whatever way works
best for you.
If you’re willing to donate your time, we invite you to participate in our Highline Serves!
volunteer activities.
Opportunity #1: Highline Serves! Online Volunteer Activity
So many of our students rely on Highline’s website to guide them through their academic journey. Help improve our college website by using your generated person(persona can be generated below in step #1) and navigating our Highline website then providing feedback on your experience! All college employee feedback is important. Your feedback is anonymous and confidential and will help improve our Highline website.
Estimated time to Complete this activity: 1 Hour
Time and Date Available:
This online activity is available for you to participate in at your convenience anytime between 9 am on Monday, September 14th until Monday, September 28th at 9 AM.
For any further questions, please contact Michelle Donaldson at mdonaldson@highline.edu or Blake Stagner at bstagner@highline.edu.
Opportunity #2: Community Pantry Donation Drop-off(Contactless)
The Highline College Community Pantry provides incredibly valuable support for our Highline community. The Pantry is currently seeking household and personal care item donations. Drop off household and personal care items such as laundry detergent, dish soap, disinfecting wipes and household cleaners, pads/tampons, razors, deodorant, lotion, etc. The pantry is not currently asking for food donations. All donations will be used to help students dealing with COVID-19 during the ThunderWeek distribution event happening Friday, October 2nd.
Date: Household and personal care item donations will be accepted on Thursday, September 24th from 11 am-2 pm.
How to Participate: Drop-off non-perishable donations just outside of the Community Pantry at the parking lot for building 16. Please follow the marked route as noted on the map below.
Directions: From Interstate 5
- Take exit:
- 149 (if you are coming from Seattle)
- 149B (if you are coming from Tacoma)
- Proceed west on Kent-Des Moines Road to Pacific Highway South
- Turn left (south) onto Pacific Highway South
- Turn right (west) onto College Way after Campus View Apartments
- Building 16 Parking Lot will be on your left.
- Signs will direct you to the Community Pantry Donation Drop-off.
No walk-up donations will be accepted.
Requested donation items (Please place items in boxes or bags for contactless drop-off.):
- Plastic bags and paper bags for item distribution
- Household cleaning supplies (ideally in individual rather than bulk containers to facilitate
- Hand soap
- Dishwashing soap
- Lysol wipes
- Paper towels
- Other useful donation items: Toothpaste, Feminine hygiene products (pads, tampons), Diapers
For any further questions about this, please contact Monica Twork at mtwork@highline.edu or Jenn Ritchey at jritchey@highline.edu.
Opportunity #3
The Community Pantry accepts monetary donations through the Foundation. In order to make a
donation, faculty/staff just need to fill in "Community Pantry" in the additional comments field at
the bottom of this donation page. The Community Pantry can also receive donations via the
payroll deduction form.
The Foundation has also launched a COVID-19 Student Support giving campaign. These funds
are able to support students with a variety of COVID-related emergency financial needs, and
they have been extremely helpful for our students!
For any further questions about this, please contact Monica Twork at mtwork@highline.edu or Jenn Ritchey at jritchey@highline.edu.
Highline Serves! 2019 Community Service Projects
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Volunteer a few hours of your time during Opening Week by participating in a service project. All staff and faculty can join in!
Through this effort, Highline volunteers can actively engage with the community and strengthen vital relationships.
NOTE: Options 2 and 3 are still available for sign-up! The Pantry and Multi-Service Center rosters are full.
1. Highline Community Pantry
Location: Building 16-180, behind the Print Shop
Volunteers needed: 12
- Help set up and organize the pantry for the new school year!
The Community Pantry is a collaborative effort between the Benefits Hub and Des Moines area food bank. It started in April 2018 as an initiative to help make affordable, healthy food more accessible to all individuals on campus. In 2019 alone we have served over 2,100 students visiting the pantry over 7,000 times and have given out a little over 20 tons of food! We are open to all Highline and CWU Des Moines faculty, staff, and students.
2. Highline Urban Agriculture Program Garden
Location: Behind Building 10
Volunteers needed: unlimited
- Remove weeds, plant seeds/bulbs, spread compost/wood chips, and learn a thing or two about growing food over the winter!
- Wash, pack and deliver veggies to the Community Pantry
- Help build community greenhouse
- Possible work at off-campus sites
- Rain or shine
The Urban Agriculture Program provides students with practical hands-on learning that the agricultural industry demands, while giving special attention to the ecological and social justice aspects of the discipline. At its core, the program focuses on organic and sustainable agriculture systems as a way of introducing students to premium markets, the importance of land stewardship, and to demonstrate techniques that can be used to adapt to a changing climate. The fruits and vegetables grown by students in our courses are sold at the Des Moines Farmer’s Market to generate funds for scholarships, as well as donated to the on-campus food pantry and local food bank.
3. Highline Clean Up with Public Safety
Location: West of Building 6
Volunteers needed: unlimited
- Work in teams to beautify campus before fall quarter students arrive!
- Rain or shine
Keeping our campus clean and beautiful supports Crime Prevention Awareness. A well-maintained campus sends the message that students, faculty and staff notice and care what happens here.
4. Federal Way Multi-Service Center
Location: Outside Bookstore, Building 8
Volunteers needed: 12
- Help our neighbor agency food bank!
- Team will travel together and help sort and stock.
The Federal Way Multi-Service Center (MSC) helps local residents find affordable housing and pay energy bills, access emergency food and clothing, get set up with school supplies and other resources to help meet basic educational goals. Special outreach efforts address the needs of young adults, people living in elder-care facilities, people with disabilities, and veterans.