Volunteer at Campus Kitchen or go to a rock concert? With a new Campus Kitchens Project partnership in the works, this could be a decision student volunteers no longer need to make.

Aimée Holtzman runs a Jericho, N.Y.-based non-profit that empowers youth to fight hunger through the popularity of rock and roll. Holtzman’s Rock CAN Roll aims to restock food shelves in local pantries and shelters by collecting healthy and non-perishable foods. The entirely volunteer-driven organization uses schools and social groups as its mobile volunteer power and works with arts organizations and the music industry to market the idea to concert-goers.

In short, Holtzman works with bands and venues to ask their attendees a simple favor: bring along some non-perishable food with you when you attend the concert. She says she’s seen thousands of pounds of non-perishables roll in at a Train or Maroon 5 show. That’s the easy part.

Rock CAN Roll’s volunteers work hard every show to secure enough volunteers to work the venue while finding the right agencies to donate the food to. That’s where Campus Kitchens can become part of the show.

While the 2011 calendar is not yet secured, Rock CAN Roll tours around cities and venues that are often located close to a college campus. Holtzman says she knows of at least two Campus Kitchen locations – Boston and St. Louis – that she’s been to before, and hopes to visit other locations in the coming years.

As the 2011 and 2012 Rock CAN Roll dates are verified, we’ll put your Campus Kitchens in touch with Holtzman, providing you exciting volunteer/concert opportunities in addition to the opportunity for more food at your kitchens and local agencies.

“My vision for Rock CAN Roll is to become like recycling,” says Holtzman. “Taking cans with you to concerts becomes part of the rhythm of life.”

Campus Kitchens can help with that rhythm. Contact your program manager if your Campus Kitchen is interested in future participation.

Rock CAN Roll's Aimee Holtzman poses with Bret Michaels

Post to Twitter