Huff expressed how this roles with Elon Volunteers have reshaped his understanding of community engagement.
Jordan Huff ’26 has found a powerful way to connect his passion for food with meaningful community impact through his work with Elon Volunteers! and Campus Kitchen.
Campus Kitchen is an on-campus service opportunity through the Kernodle Center for Civic Life that collects fresh produce from Loy Farm and, through partnership with Elon Dining Services, engages students, faculty and staff as volunteers who prepare and deliver the meals to those in need in the Burlington community. In addition, volunteers serve with food drives, and at community events.
Huff first became involved with the organization after attending a Campus Kitchen farm shift. At the time, he didn’t know much about the program, but learning that the produce harvested would be used directly in cooking shifts sparked his interest.
“I have always loved cooking, I work with Elon Dining, and I am a big foodie, so it immediately clicked,” he said.
After attending one cooking shift, Huff found himself returning every week for the rest of the semester. This semester led him to apply for the coordinator position, which led to the start of his leadership journey with EV!
Huff expressed how this roles with EV! Has reshaped his understanding of community engagement. Through Campus Kitchen, he saw firsthand how food can serve as a powerful tool for dignity and care.
“Something as simple as preparing a meal can directly impact dignity and well-being,” he explained, particularly for the local shelters served each week.
One moment that stands out to him reflects both creativity and impact. While experimenting with new recipes, the team decided to try making enchiladas and after delivering the meal, they received enthusiastic feedback from their community partner.
“Hearing that (feedback) made the extra planning worth it. It reminded me that taking chances in the kitchen can make a real difference for,” Huff said, reinforcing how thoughtful changes can elevate the experience for those they serve.
As a student leader, Huff has also redefined what leadership means to him. He emphasizes the importance of building systems that allow others to succeed and using personal connections to strengthen collective impact. Within his role with Elon Dining, he helped bridge communication gaps and improve efficiency, demonstrating how collaboration can elevate service efforts. Throughout his time with Campus Kitchen, Huff has served as both a cooking shift coordinator and the Elon Dining liaison. In these roles, he led weekly shifts, guided volunteers through meal preparation, and helped design recipes that maximized available ingredients. His work extended beyond the kitchen, strengthening partnerships between Campus Kitchen and Elon Dining to improve food recovery efforts.
For students looking to get involved, Huff encourages starting with personal passion. Whether it’s food insecurity or another cause, aligning service with individual values creates a more meaningful and lasting experience. His journey reflects the broader mission of Elon Volunteers, which embodies empowering students to not only serve, but to lead, innovate and create lasting change within their communities.