Skidmore gears up for year four of 'Give and Go'
Gwyneth Harris '13, Camille Netter '13, Charlotte
Levy '13, and Tessa Leverone '12 plan Give and Go.
Skidmore College and community volunteers have already started the annual collection of used goods that students leave behind at the end of the year. The goods will be donated to local charities in the Saratoga community in the annual project known as "Give and Go."
The College has again partnered with the local chapter of the Salvation Army on this community service and fund-raising 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 to find homes for the used goods from the Give and Go including some homeless shelters, the Backstretch Employee Support Team (BEST), and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Animals (SPCA).
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 items, including the following: 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 an incredible success with over five small moving truck loads of goods donated, according to Sustainability Coordinator Erica Fuller.
Skidmore and community volunteers collected the first round of goods left behind in the residence halls on May 15. On Monday, May 17, the collection sites will be moved to the Northwoods Apartments and volunteers will run another collection day on Sunday, May 23. Through the help of Purchasing Director Carol Schnitzer, Liedke Moving Co. has donated two movers and two trucks to assist the effort on both days. Another generous offer, new this year, is the donation from Cudney Cleaner's to launder and fold all the clothing donated.
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 reliant on Skidmore and community volunteers to help move the collected items. For details or to volunteer for the next collection day on Sunday, May 23, contact Fuller at efuller@skidmore.edu or 518-580-5865.
