Service at Saint Mary's
Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these
who are members of my family, you did it to me.
Matthew 25:40
At Saint Mary’s, service is an expression of our Catholic and Lasallian mission. Inspired by the Gospel call to love our neighbors, students are encouraged to recognize the dignity of every person and respond with compassion, generosity, and action. Through meaningful service experiences, they learn that caring for others is not simply something we do—it is part of who we are.
Throughout the year, students participate in a variety of service initiatives that support local and global communities. Annual opportunities include:
Toiletries Drive (September and after Enrichment Week)
Sock & Coat Drive (Fall/Winter)
Food Drive (Winter)
CRS Rice Bowl (Lent)
Bucket Wars (Founder’s Week)
Students can also become involved through the Service Club, which meets weekly to organize campus-wide service projects and develop new opportunities to serve. The club has supported organizations including our twin Lasallian school, St. Mary’s Secondary School in Nyeri, Kenya, as well as Saint Mary’s immersion programs.
Additional service opportunities include:
- Lasallian Days
- Enrichment Week
- Student Fundraiser for Tuition Assistance
- Athletic Team Service Projects
- PALS (Peer Assisted Learning Support)
- Senior Projects
- Blood Drive
- California Scholarship Federation
- National Honor Society
View the current calendar of service opportunities HERE.
Our goal is not simply to complete service hours, but to form graduates who lead lives of generosity, empathy, and responsibility. By serving others, students deepen their understanding of the Gospel, strengthen their commitment to the common good, and embrace the Lasallian tradition of faith, community, and service.
Service Opportunities
|
Time & Location |
Organization | Description | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sundays at 7:30am
|
Berkeley Catholic Worker 1931 Center Street, Berkeley |
Prepare and serve breakfast; help distribute toiletries collected by Saint Mary's. |
Contact: JC Orton Phone: 510-684-1892 Email: noscw@sbcglobal.net Website: Berkeley Catholic Worker |
|
Thursdays 4:00 - 6:00pm
|
Canticle Farm 978 36th Avenue, Oakland |
Distribute food and produce to community. |
Phone: 510-679-3097 Email: canticlefarmers@gmail.com Website: Canticle Farm |
|
Wednesdays 4:30 - 6:00pm |
Cathedral of Christ the Light Parish Hall 2121 Harrison Street, Oakland |
Feeding the Hungry Program: A simple dinner is served for all in need of a meal on Wednesdays from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the plaza. Volunteers should arrive at 4:30 pm. |
Contact: Kiona Medina Phone: 510-832-5057 Email: KMedina@oakdiocese.org Website: Christ the Light Cathedral |
|
Third Saturday of each month Shift 1: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Shift 2: 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm |
St. Mark’s Hot Meals Program 2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley |
Dinner is served at 4:30 p.m. and the preparation consists of two volunteer shifts: Shift 1 – Set up work area, prepare dinner and lunch bags, cleanup and set up up for dinner. Shift 2 – Pack to-go boxes and stage lunches and dinners. Distribute to-go boxes and lunches to the guests. Clean up. |
Phone: 510-848-5107 Email: hotmeals@stmarksberkeley.org Website: St. Mark’s Episcopal Church |
|
First Saturday of each month |
Friends of the Fountain |
A small volunteer nonprofit focused on preservation and maintenance of historic Marin Circle fountain. |
Contact: Michael Gray Phone: 510-982-9738 Email: gray.mikeg@gmail.com Website: Friends of the Fountain & Walk |