Students gathered at Stepan Center on Saturday to participate in Back the Bend, an annual day of service organized by Notre Dame Student Government aimed at connecting students with volunteering opportunities across South Bend.
While this event has roots dating back to 1989, this was the 15th year in its current format. Students from the University of Notre Dame, Holy Cross College and Saint Mary’s College participated in the event, with just under 500 people signed up and more than 20 volunteer sites, including Dismas House, Cultivate Food Rescue and Habitat for Humanity.
Doors opened at 8 a.m. for breakfast and check-in. Volunteers arrived to receive T-shirts and find their assigned service sites. Sophomore Owen McDonald, director of community service for Notre Dame student government, delivered opening remarks reflecting on the purpose of the event and this year’s theme, “Share Your Light.”
“There’s a lot of darkness and division in our world,” McDonald said. “Each of you has light inside of you. We are trying to go out into the community, share that light together, and bring a little bit of light into the darkness.”
He added the event is not only about giving back but also about recognizing the work already being done by local organizations.
“All the organizations you’ll be working with today are really shining lights in our community,” McDonald said.
Following McDonald’s remarks, University President Fr. Robert Dowd offered a blessing and emphasized the importance of building relationships between Notre Dame and the surrounding community.
“I like to talk about Notre Dame as a bridge and the importance of all of us being bridge builders,” Dowd said. “This is a great example of what it means to build bridges into South Bend.”
For many students, the event provides an accessible way to engage with the South Bend community, especially for those who may not have transportation.
“Back the Bend provides transportation so that we are able to volunteer,” sophomore Ella Caplea said. “That is why a lot of people join.”
Others said the event offers an opportunity to step beyond campus life and connect more directly with the local community.
“It is a great opportunity to give back to the Notre Dame community beyond campus,” sophomore Ana Gaztañaga said.
Junior Kate Rector, a site leader at Fernwood Botanical Gardens and a member of the Department of Community Outreach, said the event reflects a broader relationship between students and the South Bend community.
“South Bend really welcomes us and supports us,” Rector said. “While I feel like I’m giving back, they’re welcoming me. It’s a give-and-take relationship.”
Some students also highlighted how Back the Bend serves as a starting point for continued service.
Sophomore Denise-Cailyn Santiago said she regularly volunteers through other programs but was motivated to participate in the event because of friends involved in organizing it.
After completing their service, volunteers returned to the Robinson Community Learning Center, where food trucks provided lunch and an opportunity for participants to reflect on the day.
