Office of Engagement and
Community Affairs

Consider donating a wrapped or unwrapped gift to the children that join us for our 18th Annual Christmas Day at Pitt! The event brings together the University of Pittsburgh community to serve a holiday meal to members of the city and region who may not have other opportunities to celebrate this season.

Gift Drive Dates: November 6 - December 15, 2023

How to Donate:
Drop off unwrapped gifts to 710 Alumni Hall by Friday, Dec. 15.

Departments, units, and offices that plan to participate should register by Nov. 20.

Questions?
For more information or if you have any questions, please email Justin Dandoy at justin.dandoy@pitt.edu.

Join GIFT Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to fill and organize Thanksgiving-themed boxes that will later be distributed to the seniors with whom they work.

To sign up, please visit the Volunteer Portal.

Volunteer and support the Pitt United Way campaign! Donate your time by working at the Pitt Shop at the Pete during the basketball games and $35 per 2-hour volunteer shift will be donated to the University’s United Way campaign. Get a free t-shirt and every time you volunteer you will be entered to win a prize at the end of the season. 

Each 2-hour shift starts 1 hour before game time. Please go to the Peterson Event Center main entrance on Terrace Street and let them know you are there to volunteer at the Pitt Shop with Pitt United Way. You can get your t-shirt there at the time you volunteer or stop by the University Store on Fifth during business hours to pick up your shirt. 

To sign up to volunteer, please visit the Volunteer Portal.

One more volunteer is needed to serve alongside Bridge Beyond PGH to serve the people at the Second Avenue Commons Shelter in Downtown on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To sign up to volunteer, please visit the Volunteer Portal.

Join United Way as they facilitate the Poverty Spiral simulation in their Pittsburgh office. The Poverty Spiral provides an opportunity to increase empathy towards those in our region who experience poverty and better understand the decision-making required to survive in financial instability.

This simulation requires participants to put yourself in the shoes of someone else and face situations without clear solutions. We hope that this interactive and impactful experience will leave you with an open mind, challenge your preconceived notions about poverty, increase awareness of the struggles of many of our Southwestern PA neighbors, and ask yourself, "What next?"

To sign up, please visit the United Way's website.

Find more upcoming opportunities through the University's volunteer portal at volunteer.pitt.edu.