---
title: "Community Service"
url: "/student-life/social-action-service/community"
type: page
date: 2026-05-29
updated: 2026-06-16
---

# Community Service

Social Action & Service

Community Service

There are community service opportunities at Manhattan University for every schedule and every level of commitment.

Image on Right

Image

      ![Students and community members paint a wall](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_327w/public/media/2026-05/communityservicemural_1440x530.jpg?h=386d81f4&itok=7ZFDtNTu) 

 

 

## Live the Mission

Our location in New York City provides students access to numerous, meaningful community service opportunities.

Inspired by our [Lasallian mission](/about/lasallian-catholic-heritage "Lasallian Catholic Heritage"), community service connects us to our home in ways that other activities do not. It takes us out of our comfort zones and helps us appreciate other perspectives. It puts our talents and gifts to good use. We encourage all students to participate in some form of service during their time at Manhattan University.

### Ongoing Weekly Service: LOCo

Image

    ![students help prepare and pack food as part of a weekly service event](/sites/default/files/styles/original_aspect_ratio_400/public/media/2026-05/weekly-service_385x275_mini.jpg?itok=-OckQUh7) 

 The [Lasallian Outreach Collaborative (LOCo)](/campus-life/clubs-orgs/lasallian-outreach-collaborative "LOCo: Lasallian Outreach Collaborative") is an opportunity for students to commit to weekly service with our local partner organizations in the Bronx and greater New York City area.

Volunteering on a weekly basis is a wonderful way to get to know the local community and develop relationships with the people you’re serving and working alongside.

Some students use LOCo as an opportunity to build skills applicable to their major or interests, such as tutoring children at Kingsbridge Heights Community Center or learning about social work and advocacy at Fordham-Bedford Community Services. Others consider it a simple and effective way to give back to the University’s home borough.

### One-Time Service: Service on Saturdays

Image

    ![a student shovels soil as part of a service event](/sites/default/files/styles/original_aspect_ratio_400/public/media/2026-05/one-time-service_385x275_mini.jpg?itok=3HyuqfWU) 

 [Service on Saturdays](/student-life/cmsa/service-on-saturdays "Service on Saturdays") are one-time service opportunities that provide a great introduction to volunteering in the local community. These projects are open to all students, and sign-ups are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Examples of past Service on Saturdays include:

- Mobile markets and food repacks with City Harvest
- Saturday home construction with Friends of Rockaway
- Serving meals at POTS (Part of the Solution)Forest restoration and community gardening with Friends of Van Cortlandt Park
- Mural Painting at Brilla Academy

### Recurring Annual Service Events

#### Mission Month Day of Service

Image

    ![students visit tables to learn about how to serve the community](/sites/default/files/styles/original_aspect_ratio_400/public/media/2026-05/dayofservice.jpg?itok=f8dycWlC) 

 During Mission Month in April, Manhattan University hosts a University-wide Day of Service, partnering with various local community-based organizations. This is a great opportunity to show the Lasallian mission in action!

#### On-Campus Blood Drives

The New York Blood Center runs a blood drive one to three times a semester. Students can help by checking donors in, advertising and donating blood.

### More Information

Visit the [Campus Ministry & Social Action Website](/student-life/cmsa "Campus Ministry & Social Action") for more information about how current Manhattan University students can [sign up for LOCo](/campus-life/clubs-orgs/lasallian-outreach-collaborative "LOCo: Lasallian Outreach Collaborative"), [Service on Saturday](/student-life/cmsa/service-on-saturdays "Service on Saturdays") or other [service events](/student-life/cmsa/upcoming-events "Upcoming Events").

 

Read about community service events offered through Manhattan University's Campus Ministry & Social Action.