PennMOVES to collect student donations

Before moving out of dorms, students should think twice about what they throw out.

The PennMOVES program will collect items from May 2 to 18 at locations near college houses and until May 31 at Sansom Place.

Anyone can donate unused or gently used items including clothing, electronics, furniture and nonperishable food, Business Services spokeswoman Barbara Lea-Kruger said. “Anything [students] can’t take with them they should donate.”

This year, Goodwill Industries International, Inc., will transport and sort the items, then conduct a sale in conjunction with Penn on June 4 in a warehouse property owned by Penn at 3401 Grey’s Ferry Ave.

All proceeds of the sale will go to Goodwill, a charity which offers job training to people with disabilities or other employment challenges, Lea-Kruger said.

Last year, Penn raised $22,000 — which was donated to United Way, an education and health-based nonprofit — at a sale held at the ice rink in the Class of 1923 Arena.

“This may be the single largest recycling event of the year” at Penn, Business Services sustainability coordinator Laurie Cousart said. “We’re excited.”

PennMOVES collects about 90,000 pounds of donated items a year, amounting to 270,000 pounds since the program began in 2008.

“We get everything,” Lea-Kruger said, adding she remembers seeing toys, Halloween costumes, unwrapped presents and guitars.

“It’s a great place to get rainboots and Uggs,” Cousart said.

Wharton sophomore and PennMOVES student coordinator Amelia Wilson attended the sale last year and said she “must have spent at least $100” on kitchenware and clothes, including a cocktail dress and red high heels.

“Americans consume a lot,” Wilson said. “Students should take 15 to 20 minutes extra out of their day to keep their things out of a landfill.”

Wharton freshman Olivia Olt said she plans to donate a microwave and toaster she will not need next year when she moves off campus. “It is really easy but also an awesome way to help people,” she said.

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