Giving to Others in Action
An ongoing initiative led by The University of Scranton’s Center for Service and Social Justice that encourages students leaving campus to donate rather than discard items benefits hundreds of local families while reducing landfill waste and helps the University to answer to the call by Pope Francis to “Care for Our Common Home.”Thanks to the generosity of University of Scranton students – and a colossal initiative led by the Center for Service and Social Justice – thousands of items destined for area landfills now continue to be used by hundreds of local families. The end-of-the-year drive, through which students leaving campus are encouraged to donate rather than discard items they no longer need, collected more than 120 area rugs and more than 75 mirrors, in addition to storage containers, fans, desk lamps, crock pots, pots and pans, dishes, mugs, silverware, kitchen utensils, towels, new bedding, small appliances, canned goods, personal hygiene products, sleeping bags, backpacks, laundry detergent, throw pillows, toys and games, holiday items, curtains/drapes and many, many other items.
Goods donated were collected and sorted by University students under the supervision of the Center for Service and Social Justice staff. Items were then donated to Friends of the Poor Housing Developments (Valley View Housing and Jackson Terrace), Warehouse Home Goods and Clothesline for Men programs; United Neighborhood Centers Angels Attic; the Community Intervention Center and even the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, which took used blankets, sheets and comforters that other agencies could not take.
Among the University students participating in the end-of-the-year drive were: Stephen Butler, Telford; Fanelysse de la Rosa, New York, New York; Brandon Dagrosa, Hazle Township; Victoria Dowling, East Newport, New York; Matthew Duffy, Plainview, New York; Fione Evans, Scranton; Ariana Flores, Springfield, New Jeresey; Erin Fowler, Washington, New Jersey; Patrick George, Endicott, New York; Stefania Gomess, Staten Island, New York; Chris Gutt, Narberth; Zoe Honney, Scranton; Christina Kennedy, Morristown, New Jersey; Kyle Kennelly, Huntington, New York; Jenna Kotlar, Branchburg, New Jersey; Grace Lloyd, Yardley; Aiden Mackrell, Olyphant; Thomas Marine, Cockeysville, Maryland; Kelly McGovern, Manalapan, New Jersey; Brooke McNabola, Wallingford, Connecticut; Isabella Mesita, Hillsborough, New Jersey; John Molinelli, Westfield, New Jersey; Zachary Morrison, Shamong, New Jersey; Logan Muniz, Ringwood, New Jersey; Julie Rogel, Huntington, New York; Abby Walsh, Scranton; and Isabelle Wohlleber, Hazleton; and end-of-the-year-drive team leaders Abby Casal, South Abington Township, and Maria Manno, Blue Bell.
The drive, already in its 34th year at Scranton, is among the sustainability initiatives recommended for schools to undertake as part of the seven-year process to be designated by the Vatican as a Laudato Si’ University. The University of Scranton began its journey for Laudato Si’ recognition this academic year.
