Thousands of Items Donated During Move Out
More than a dozen University of Scranton student volunteers helped staff from the Center for Service and Social Justice at its annual end-of-the-year drive. Together they collected, sorted and delivered to area agencies thousands of items donated by University students as they move out at the semester’s end. Pictured are some of the student volunteers, first row, from left: Abigail F. Casal, an early and primary education major from South Abington Township; and Sophia C. da Costa, a neuroscience major from Ambler. Back row: Patrick A. George, an operations management major from Endicott, New York; Thomas E. Marine, a biochemistry major from Cockeysville, Maryland; Samuel N. Peters, an environmental science major from West Hartford, Connecticut; and Brian L. White, a biology and philosophy double major from Brooklyn, New York.Mirrors, vacuums, fans, toasters, silverware, kitchen utensils, nail polish, napkins, notebooks, clothes, clocks, plastic bins and containers, shelves, coffee pots and dozens of other items donated by students leaving campus are carefully sorted into boxes and rooms by volunteers and staff of The University of Scranton’s Center for Service and Social Justice. When applicable, donated items are even tested to ensure the goods are in working condition before being donated.
The thousands of donated items will be given to area nonprofit agencies for distribution to those in need. Organizations receiving donated items this year include Friends of the Poor, housing developments, United Neighborhood Centers, the Community Intervention Center and others. The Griffin Pond Animal Shelter will be given used blankets, sheets and comforters that other agencies could not take.
By donating, rather than discarding thousands of items, University students are reducing waste. The drive, now in its 35th 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 seven-year journey for Laudato Si’ recognition last year.
Read about how University of Scranton students living off-campus have developed an informal method of reselling or donating furniture to other student apartment dwellers when they move out at graduation in an article written by University Student Correspondent Gina Wesler ’24.
