Auburn Students Answer the Call to Serve Their Community

When college students want to make a difference, Auburn has opened its doors wide.

Three local organizations are actively seeking volunteers of all skill levels, proving that giving back doesn't require special training or countless hours. It just requires showing up.

Esperanza House on Opelika Road helps Hispanic families in Lee County through afterschool tutoring, a medical bus staffed by nurses, and food distribution programs. But assistant director Abby Upshaw says the real magic happens in the relationships formed between volunteers and kids.

"It's not just tutoring," Upshaw explains. "It's a way to form relationships with these kids."

Volunteers at CARE Humane Society keep Auburn's no-kill shelter running smoothly. From walking dogs to organizing "doggy dates" where animals leave the property for fun adventures, every hour of help transforms an animal's day.

"A volunteer can make a dog's day just so much better," says volunteer coordinator Audrey Salazar. The shelter's name stands for compassion, adoption, rescue and education, and volunteers power nearly all daily operations.

At the Food Bank of East Alabama, volunteers prepare and pack food boxes for senior centers and fill backpacks for elementary students who lack access to meals outside school. Executive director Martha Henk admits the work isn't glamorous, but its purpose is crystal clear.

"You know what you're doing is actually helping to feed people," Henk says.

The Ripple Effect

These three organizations share a common thread: they depend on volunteers to reach the people who need them most. When students donate even a few hours, entire families gain access to education support, medical care, nutritious food, and companionship.

The impact extends beyond those directly served. Student volunteers build connections to Auburn beyond campus boundaries, discovering the real community they call home for four years.

Henk encourages students to explore different opportunities until they find their perfect match, then commit fully.

In Auburn, every willing heart finds a place to serve.