Welcome to HoundServe! Interested in serving the community, but don't have time for a weekly commitment? HoundServe offers a variety of one-time service options which happen throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. Participating in HoundServe is not a commitment to volunteer with every program; each event has its own preparation and reflection opportunities, run by trained student Service Coordinators. Choose the events that work with your schedule and passions, and serve the way a HoundServes! Get involved with HoundServe by browsing the opportunities below, check out other one-time and group options, or contact houndserve@loyola.edu to get regular updates about upcoming opportunities!
Approximately 300 people walk through the doors of Beans & Bread Center, Loyola's longstanding community partner, for each meal. Many stay to recieve case management services, collect their mail, or socialize. Meals at Beans and Bread are served in restaurant style, including meal options and a dessert tray. These details are designed to promote the dignity of each guest and allow for warm, personal interaction with volunteers. On the last Sunday of each month, the Loyola community takes full responsibility for funding, staffing and operating the Beans & Bread Meal Program. If not for the Loyola community, Beans & Bread could not afford to be open on these days, which are a particular need as guests' resources dwindle at the end of the month. Volunteers are needed to help with the meal program on some Saturdays, and on every Last Sunday. Responsibilities of volunteers include helping with preparing and serving the meal, welcoming guests, and doing a number of other much needed tasks such as bussing tables and cleaning up. For more information about volunteering for a Last Sunday or a Saturday meal program, contact beansandbreadsc@loyola.edu. Return to top Each semester, HoundServe volunteers recruit and staff a two-day Blood Drive for the American Red Cross. Hundreds of Loyola community members participate in each drive in an effort to stave off blood shortages around the country. Volunteers donate, recruit via tables on campus, check in donors, and provide snacks during the drive. For more information, contact the Service Coordinators at houndserve@loyola.edu. Return to top Halloween Carnival is among the highlights of the Loyola partnership with Gallagher Services, a local agency for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A collaborative effort of Best Buddies, Gallagher Services, and HoundServe volunteers, the Carnival provides a fun and memorable afternoon for everyone involved. HoundServe volunteers are needed to set up, run carnival booths, and clean up so that our Gallagher guests can enjoy socializing, doing crafts, playing games, and showing off their costumes. For more information, contact the Service Coordinators at houndserve@loyola.edu. Return to top HoundServe volunteers put on lively Bingo Nights for the residents of Keswick Senior Center during the winter months. Volunteers provide company, conversation, and friendly competition for the Seniors. For more information about volunteering, contact the Service Coordinators at houndserve@loyola.edu. Return to top Held every semester, this event allows the Loyola University community to host its neighbors from partner agencies around Baltimore. Loyola volunteers serve at many of these agencies, and Meet and Eat is a special chance to show our neighbors, who have welcomed us into their communities, our hospitality. Students, faculty, staff, agency professionals, and clients from different backgrounds gather over a shared meal and live entertainment. The fall “Meet & Eat” is scheduled during November, and the spring “Meet & Eat” in March is for women, in honor of Women’s History Month. For more information and volunteer opportunities, contact the Service Coordinator at unitesc@loyola.edu. The Women's Meet and Eat for Spring 2013 is March 26th! Sign up here by March 18th. Return to top Guests of Our Daily Bread Employment Center can obtain a warm meal and tap into other resources offered at the Center, such as literacy/general education diploma training, job placement support, and substance abuse recovery assistance. The organization's mission is to improve the lives of people in material need by connecting them to resources, providing daily meals and supporting efforts towards stable employment and housing. Volunteers from Loyola staff the meal program at Our Daily Bread on intermittent weekends throughout the schol year. The volunteer shift lasts from 9AM - 1PM. For more information about volunteering, contact odbsc@loyola.edu. Return to top HoundServe coordinates with the Department of Recreational Sports at Loyola to host Special-Olympics athletes from all over Maryland for a swimming event at the Fitness and Aquatic Center. Volunteers escort the athletes to their places, and assist with timing, scorekeeping, and the presentation of awards. The support of the Loyola community makes this event a special time for honoring the athletes. For more information, contact the Service Coordinators at houndserve@loyola.edu. Return to top Students from after-school programs around Baltimore come to Trick 'r Treat in the Loyola residence halls on an afternoon shortly before Halloween. For many of the children, this is not only a chance to display their costumes, but also a unique opportunity to collect candy door-to-door in a safe environment. HoundServe volunteers escort groups of children around campus, while residence hall volunteers wait with candy. For more information, contact the Service Coordinators at houndserve@loyola.edu. Return to top Other One-Time Service Options If you're looking for a one-time service option not offered by HoundServe, take a look at our list of opportunities that you can privately arrange with our community partners. These may be a good fit if you're looking for a specific type of service, or arranging a day of service for a group. Click here to see more one-time and group options outside of HoundServe. | 
