Third annual Give and Go gets under way

The Give and Go program collects used goods and donates them to local charities in the Saratoga community. This spring Skidmore will again partner with the local chapter of the Salvation Army on this community service/fundraising initiative.

The idea is to divert used goods that students leave behind at the end of the year from the landfill to the Salvation Army, where resale of the goods will lead to new life for the items and funds for a community agency. The Salvation Army works with other local charities, including local homeless shelters, the Backstretch Employee Support Team (BEST) and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Animals (SPCA), to find new homes for the used goods.

At the end of the academic year when students leave campus, an enormous amount of usable goods are left behind. The program can take a variety of goods, including wearable clothing and shoes, unopened food, computer printers, refrigerators, and small appliances in workable condition.

Unacceptable items include anything that is broken, pillows, open food containers, socks, and underwear.

Last year?s Give and Go program was a smashing success with more than 15 van loads of goods donated, including the following: 24 refrigerators, 40 fans, 12 coffee makers,14 toasters, 92 lamps, 16 full length mirrors, 50 picture frames, 15 printers, 13 power-strips, and 11 phones.

The Give and Go will is now under way, with collection bins in each residence hall. Skidmore and community volunteers will collect the goods left behind in the residence halls on Saturday, May 9. On May 11, the bins will be moved to the apartments and volunteers will run another collection day on Sunday, May 17. Through the help of Purchasing Director Carol Schnitzer, Liedke Moving Co. has donated two movers and two trucks to assist on both days.

Faculty and staff who wish to donate items are welcome to do so. They may bring their goods directly to the Salvation Army on Woodlawn Avenue.

The Give and Go is relying on Skidmore and community volunteers to help move the collected items on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 17. For details, or to volunteer, contact Erica Fuller by email or at 518-580-5865.