PHOTOS: MSU Denver volunteers strengthen community ties during Roadrunners Give Back Week

Roadrunners Give Back Week, held Sept. 29–Oct. 4, brought together 159 Metropolitan State University of Denver faculty, staff and alumni to volunteer across 12 community sites throughout the Denver area. Coordinated by 10 MSU Denver captains, the initiative built on strong community ties—with 10 of the sites representing long-standing partnerships between the University and local organizations such as Food for Thought, Denver Health, Girls Inc. of Metro Denver and The Greenway Foundation. Organized by the Office of Government and External Affairs, the week was created in response to employee interest in more workplace volunteer opportunities and reflects MSU Denver’s deep commitment to civic engagement. From neighborhood cleanups to food distribution, participants embodied the University’s core value of community through hands-on service that supported causes including youth development, health equity and sustainability.

Volunteers share why they give back

Throughout the week, volunteers shared what motivated them to give back—and their stories were captured on video for the MSU Denver YouTube channel. These short interviews highlight the personal connections and passion that drive Roadrunners to serve, reinforcing the University’s culture of engagement and impact.

Check out photos from the week’s volunteer activities below:

A large group of volunteers in blue shirts pose in a room filled with shelves and boxes of supplies.

Volunteers from Metropolitan State University of Denver organize donations during Roadrunners Give Back Day at Denver Health in Denver. Photo provided by Andrea Rodriguez.

olunteers in a warehouse pack food items into bags among large bins and boxes.

The MSU Denver University Communications and Marketing office takes part in the weekly Food for Thought event on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. Photo by Amanda Schwengel

A volunteer places packaged food into a plastic bin labeled “Food Bank.”

The MSU Denver University Communications and Marketing office takes part in the weekly Food for Thought event on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. Photo by Amanda Schwengel

Volunteers wearing light blue shirts pick up trash and weeds along a sidewalk near trees and a stop sign.

Volunteers from Metropolitan State University of Denver pick up trash and clear overgrown brush near Tepeyac Community Health Center during the annual Roadrunners Give Back Day in Denver. Photo provided by Mike Ramsey

Seven volunteers in blue shirts pose with black trash bags on a sidewalk outside a brick building.

olunteers from Metropolitan State University of Denver pose with collected trash bags outside Tepeyac Community Health Center during Roadrunners Give Back Day in Denver. Photo provided by Mike Ramsey

Volunteers from Metropolitan State University of Denver harvest vegetables at the Village Exchange Center’s community farm in Aurora during Roadrunners Give Back Day. Photo by Ally Veneris

A volunteer seated at a picnic table sorts dried plants and seeds into jars.

At the Village Exchange Center farm, an MSU Denver volunteer in sunglasses and a blue shirt sits at a wooden table, separating seeds from dried plants into jars. A colorful mural of large flowers is painted on the building behind her. Photo by Ally Veneris

A volunteer wearing sunglasses kneels and waves while sanding a wooden pallet outside a blue building.

A volunteer from Metropolitan State University of Denver sands wooden pallets at the Village Exchange Center’s community farm in Aurora during Roadrunners Give Back Day. Photo by Ally Veneris

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