SCRANTON — Evan Becker has always been an active volunteer, helping out with vacation Bible school and fish fries at home in Lancaster. Now he looks for ways to continue to help while studying at the University of Scranton.
The university’s yearly Volunteer and Service Fair on Tuesday provided him the perfect opportunity to find such opportunities. Becker, a freshman studying business, was one of dozens of students who turned out for the yearly fair in the McIlhenny Ballroom in the DeNaples Center.
Students had the opportunity to talk to and learn about more than 90 participating community organizations and nonprofits throughout Northeast Pennsylvania that represent causes including hunger and food insecurity, veterans’ services, healthcare, children and families, education, the arts, environmental initiatives, older adult services and community development. It is organized by the university’s Center for Service and Social Justice.
Becker and fellow freshman Vlad Vongetzie from Hershey, who is studying biology, came to the fair not only to find volunteer opportunities to fulfill university service requirements, but for their own good.
“A part of why I came here is I definitely wanna do more service,” Vongetzie said. “We are required the 20 hours, but before I knew that, I still wanted to come here and do service, and very obviously, this is the place to go for that, to find those opportunities.”
They were amazed at how many organizations had tables at the event and were pleased so many of their fellow students attended.
“That was very nice to see,” said Becker, who signed up to volunteer for three organizations within the first few minutes of arriving.
Leah Tracey of Parsippany, New Jersey, who is studying occupational therapy, saw the fair as an opportunity for her and her fellow freshmen to find opportunities on campus and in the surrounding community.
“It’s our first year here so we wanna get as involved as possible,” she said.
It also helps them find new interests and to get in hours for professional development for their majors.
“It’s good to look for ways to get involved for your … major,” said Maddy DiPillo, a freshman from Riverdale, New Jersey, also studying occupational therapy.
Organizers expected more than 700 students to attend.
Marywood University Afterschool Curriculum Coordinator Kevin Amaya, left, talks with student Gavin Lohnes during the University of Scranton Volunteer and Service Fair in the Mcilhenny Ballroom in the DeNaples Center on university’s campus in Scranton Tuesday, September 16, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Students receive information from various organizations during the Volunteer and Service Fair in the Mcilhenny Ballroom in the DeNaples Center on the University of Scranton campus in Scranton Tuesday, September 16, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Marywood University Afterschool Curriculum Coordinator Kevin Amaya, left, talks with student Gavin Lohnes during the University of Scranton Volunteer and Service Fair in the Mcilhenny Ballroom in the DeNaples Center on university’s campus in Scranton Tuesday, September 16, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Representatives from some of the organizations said having volunteers, including students, is a win-win.
St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen’s location a short distance from campus makes it easy for student volunteers to walk there, said Ellen Farrell, clothing operations manager and volunteer coordinator.
“Some people surprisingly don’t know where we’re at, and they go like, ‘Wait, I can walk? I’m a freshman. I’m not allowed a car,’” she said. “So when they find out how close we are and all the different opportunities to volunteer, it is so helpful for us. And it’s a give and take because they need the hours, we need the volunteers, so we’re grateful to have them.”
John Morrow, volunteer, special events and trail coordinator for the Lackawanna Heritage Valley, said the fair opens students to resources like the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, which is close to campus, as well as the trail system and historic sites in the area.
He said volunteer opportunities they offer allow students to get outside.
“It’s a nice, casual way for them to get some fresh air, exercise, maybe mentally break from the stresses of their first semester, especially with many of these students, and get out,” Morrow said. “The outdoors are invigorating and revitalizing, and this is a great opportunity for the students to have that option.”
Emily Kane, a graduate student working in the Center for Service and Social Justice, hoped the fair gave her fellow students an opportunity to connect with a lot of community programs.
“I think so many times students don’t know what is available, and it’s great to connect with one another, with students that are willing to learn more,” she said. “That sense of connection is really powerful.”