Volunteering for Change: A Day with Caltech Y at Friends in Deed

On April 12, 2025, members of the Caltech community gathered for the annual “Make a Difference Day” event organized by the Caltech Y. This article explores one volunteer team’s day at Friends in Deed, a local nonprofit food pantry in Pasadena, highlighting their community impact and personal growth through service.

The Caltech Y’s “Make a Difference Day” enables students and community members to support local organizations through meaningful service projects. This year’s volunteers worked on various initiatives, including recovery efforts after the Eaton fire. Among the participants was a dedicated team led by Maddie, who served at Friends in Deed, a nonprofit addressing food insecurity in Pasadena.

Helping at Friends in Deed

From the experience of Madison Tongco, Venerable House

“I led a small team to volunteer at the food pantry of Friends in Deed, a local nonprofit in Pasadena. We sorted through a large amount of donations, including 20 boxes of frozen items from local Starbucks chains, as well as toiletries and a total of 96 large boxes of cereal and spaghetti. On a day with a high of 81 degrees, we also had a great time washing out the milk crates they use for storage.

While we didn’t get to interact with any patrons of the food pantry, it was a very fulfilling experience - getting away from campus to be able to make a good change in the lives of others - and we all had a wonderful time.

Thanks to my team and the Caltech Y for organizing MAD day!”

The Caltech Y’s “Make a Difference Day” is a shining example of the organization’s unwavering commitment to community service and making a positive impact. The annual event mirrors the Caltech Y’s overall goal of involving students and community members in being good global citizens.

Through “Make a Difference Day,” the Caltech Y provides students with the opportunity to become actively engaged with local and global concerns. Students can volunteer with various organizations, participate in service projects, and lend a helping hand to those less fortunate. Not only do those who receive the students’ efforts reap the rewards of these experiences, but they also leave a lasting impression of civic responsibility and personal growth on the volunteers themselves.

As the Eaton Fire Collaborative moves forward with its vital recovery work, events like this become ever more significant. They are a means of reaffirming community bonds, strengthening resilience, and demonstrating the power of community action. By involving students and community members in helping their neighbors, the organization is contributing to long-term healing and renewal in the affected communities.

Caltech Y’s dedication to community service extends well beyond “Make a Difference Day.” Through its numerous programs, the organization allows students to make valuable service, both locally and internationally. From monthly Union Station dinners to international service trips, the Caltech Y provides endless opportunities for students to make a tangible difference in others’ lives. ALWAYS REMEMBER TO VOLUNTEER!

At the heart of Caltech Y’s mission is the belief that together we can create lasting, positive change. The organization’s unwavering commitment to this principle is evident in its unrelenting passion to serve and enhance the communities in which it operates. We can continue to inspire and mobilize the next generation of world citizens so that their impact will be felt for generations to come.