On a Sunday afternoon in a neighborhood studio, students and neighbors lean over fabric squares, trading stories as they stitch. Across town, a campus dining team loads trays for a local shelter while student-athletes set out donation boxes. These moments offer a glimpse of how our campus community steps beyond the university’s boundaries to serve alongside our Nashville neighbors.
Over the past year, Vanderbilt faculty, staff and students have teamed up with local partners to host arts workshops, support caregivers, reduce food insecurity and divert surplus meals to organizations citywide, among many other collaborative service projects.
These partnerships span campuses, clinics and community centers, with each effort rooted in relationship-building and shared commitment to our city. The result is mutual support: Nashville neighbors receive care and resources, and our Vanderbilt community grows closer through hands-on service.
Art that builds belonging
The Curb Scholars community engagement program, in partnership with Our Place, creates space for adults with developmental disabilities, their neurotypical roommates, and students to connect through dance, music and making.
“Teaching residents and making art together is a great way for students to make connections beyond the Vanderbilt bubble,” said Molly Barth, Curb Center associate director.
Sacred stitches
This summer, a collaboration between Vanderbilt Divinity School and the Wond’ry’s Fiber Arts Lab brought both campus and community volunteers together to sew pocket prayer quilts for families at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
“We were thrilled to give back to our community with the help of our Nashville neighbors,” said Cheryl Williams, Divinity School director of administration. Over three Sunday afternoons, the group created 200 hand-held keepsakes as a tangible reminder that a caring community stands with them.
Students take action against hunger
In November 2025, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee leaders launched Anchor Down Hunger with Swipes for a Cause and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, placing food donation boxes across campus for those in need. The drive brought in 1,381 pounds of food and provided 1,105 meals. Swipes for a Cause enables students to donate unused meal money or guest meals year-round through Campus Dining, which are converted into food resources for Second Harvest to distribute across Middle Tennessee.
Campus Dining’s surplus food donation program complements this effort by redirecting prepared meals each week to partners like Room in the Inn, Operation Stand Down Tennessee and The Cookery.
Student leadership in action
Students in the Live. Learn. Lead. Academy fellowship regularly volunteer at the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, pairing crafting sessions with conversations on wellbeing for patients and caregivers. Guided by Dr. Jill Stratton, these events blend creativity with companionship to offer a respite to the Hope Lodge’s patrons.
Each winter, Vanderbilt Student Government’s Giving Tree invites students to provide holiday gifts for roughly 400 Nashville-area children who come to campus for crafts, games and a visit with Santa.
Students from the American Society of Civil Engineers volunteer through NDOT’s Adopt-a-Street program to keep nearby Love Circle cleaner, safer and more welcoming for the neighborhood.
Vanderbilt student-athletes also volunteer daily at Metro Nashville Public Schools as reading and lunch buddies, P.E. helpers and field day hosts.
Service brings teams together
Vanderbilt staff members volunteer with numerous local nonprofits, from sorting food at Second Harvest and assembling kits for the American Red Cross to crafting with children at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and serving at The Store, Nashville Diaper Connection, Nashville Dolphins and the Nashville Food Project.
“Volunteering unites us around a common goal and helps us focus on something greater than ourselves,” shared Jeanine Romine, director of operations in the Office of the Deputy Provost, who frequently brings together colleagues for service opportunities.
Ways to engage
Want to join in this spirit of service with a volunteer project as an individual or team? Explore Middle Tennessee organizations and service opportunities on the Vanderbilt Get Connected volunteer platform. Vanderbilt staff can also find guidance and resources for community engagement on the Best Practices for Vanderbilt Staff webpage.
Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to take part in Vanderbilt’s annual MLK Commemorative Event Series and the MLK Joint Day of Service that unites colleges citywide in a community service project. See details and register.