Third annual ‘When You Move Out, Don’t Throw It Out’ under way

Again this year, as they prepare to leave campus for the summer, BGSU students will be donating their unwanted but usable clothing, household goods and food items to charity and, in the process, conserving significant space in area landfills. Collection bins have been placed throughout campus for “When You Move Out, Don’t Throw it Out,” continuing through Sunday (May 9).

The program, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life, collects nonperishable food, clothing, books and school supplies, and miscellaneous personal items such as irons, fans, lamps and furniture.

Four boxes have been set up in the lobbies of each residence hall, all Greek units, Chily's Express, the Garden Terrace and the Bowen-Thompson Student Union. Each box is designated for one of the four categories.

“Our ultimate goal is to go beyond the residentially based program and include off-campus students as well,” said Nick Hennessy, associate director of residence life. Students who do not live in the dorms, along with faculty and staff, are encouraged to donate.

A steering committee of 12 students and more than 150 volunteers is coordinating the program.

“This event keeps things from being thrown away that could be used by others who need these things,” said Hennessy. “It’s amazing that students at the University donate their things that continue to have an effect long after they leave.”

Last year, the program collected more than 40,000 pounds of nonperishable food and a "mountain" of clothing, according to Hennessy. There were as many as 21 irons, 30 lamps and “enough jeans to fill a Gap store,” he said. And expectations are even higher this year.

The collected items are organized in the Harshman Community Room and arranged in an “amateur Wal-mart,” Hennessy said. At the end of the event, representatives from each of the 21 benefiting organizations visit the collection room and gather up the goods.

Donations will be given to a variety of food banks and shelters in the Bowling Green and Toledo areas, including the BG Christian Food Pantry, Northwest Ohio Food Bank, Martha’s Soup Kitchen (First United Methodist Church), St. Thomas More University Parish Food Pantry, St. Aloysius Food Pantry, St. Vincent DePaul Society of North Baltimore, Cherry Street Mission, La Posada Shelter, Rural Opportunities, Inc., Aurora House, First Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green, Goodwill Industries of Bowling Green, Salvation Army of Bowling Green, Wood County Humane Society, Planet Aid, Africa Reads, Beach House, Harbor House, Good Samaritan, Helping Hands and Open Doors.

Substantial donations of time, money, services or items have come from many areas on campus. The BGSU Recycling Program, University Bookstore, Recreational Sports, Materials Handling, Facilities Services, University Dining Services, Residence Life Special Program Series Fund, Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Counci, as well as Kroger and Pepsi, all contributed to the effort.