By From Wednesday, May 7 to Wednesday, May 14, Carroll College will be hosting its fourth annual Free Market Reuse-a-Palooza at the Perkins-Call Canine Center.
This Free Market was created to encourage students to reduce, reuse, and recycle their unwanted goods that are still in good condition.
Not only can students drop off these items, but they can also browse the donated goods for anything that they may need or want for the next year.
“It is a really good way to keep things out of the dumpster,” said Kaitlin Cornell, who is the Canine Center Director for Anthrozoology. “Before this, the dumpsters were overflowing with stuff that was still good and usable, and I think it’s definitely made an impact on how much stuff is diverted to and from the landfill.” Cornell is one of the Carroll staff members who helped create and make this event happen.
But how did this good cause actually come about?
The Hunthausen Center for Peace and Justice was looking for different environmental initiatives to do around Earth Day and realized how much was being thrown away every year at move-out. Once this was realized, many Carroll staff members from different departments shared how this had been a vision and a dream to do.
From environmental sciences, student-run organizations, facilities, and more, everyone came together to make this good cause happen.
“It’s just been great to see so many people get excited about this and help make it happen,” said Deidre Casey, who is the Assistant Director of Campus Ministry. “And then even after graduation, you see so many people energized to see it out for three more days, and even with the apartments moving out, there is always a new influx of stuff being donated.” Casey also helps supervise the Hunthausen Center for Peace and Justice.
You may be asking yourself: “How does this work? What steps am I actually supposed to take?”
Starting on Wednesday, May 7, anyone can stop by and donate any items that are in good shape or go “shopping” through the donated items at the Canine Center. This is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day up to Tuesday, May 13. Your school-issued key card will give you access to the building during these times.
When shopping through the donated items, most things are first-come, first-served. If there is a large item, however, like furniture, there will be a specific and official tag that asks for your contact information to reserve the item. If you do not pick up your furniture by Wednesday, May 14, by 5 p.m., it will be donated.
Students have the first access to the donated goods, but later in the week, other organizations are invited, such as the Friendship Center, the YMCA, and more, to come and find the things they need for their residents, help with community service, and more.
On Wednesday, May 14, everything that is not claimed is then donated to and picked up by the Good Samaritan.
The Free Market is also looking for some volunteers throughout the week from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to help sort items and keep the place tidy. Even 30 minutes of your time can make a difference. There is a Google Form to sign up to volunteer. Check out this link if you are interested in volunteering: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdt4N3uhlNwVKb2hjAmZX37GQjEJAy3io5mUujURfPFxgBiPw/viewform.
Here are some quick tips and reminders as we enter into this great cause:
- There are no other official drop-off locations besides the Canine Center. This is a volunteer-run cause, so please only leave items there. It is a safety issue and a fire hazard to leave your donated goods anywhere else.
- Clothes are good to donate, but please do not bring undergarments as they will have to be thrown away.
- The Free Market cannot pass along mattresses, as the Good Samaritan does not accept them. To donate a mattress, it has to be a direct donation to someone.
- You can donate any furniture, but the Good Samaritan will not take any that has rips, so please keep that in mind when donating.
The Carroll and Helena community appreciates all participation in this cause, from donating, taking donated items, and volunteering your time to help make this process go as smoothly as possible.
