Annual Residence Hall Rummage Sale Benefits Interfaith Food Shelf

The Center for Student Involvement, Housing and Residence Life and College Auxiliary Services will hold their annual Residence Hall Rummage Sale Tuesday, May 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Algonquin Dining Hall.

Now in its sixth year, the sale has generated some $12,000 for the Plattsburgh Interfaith Food Shelf. 

“It’s a state law that campuses have to find an appropriate way to dispose of items that students leave behind,” said Cori Jackson, director in the Center for Student Involvement. “We can’t just put them in a landfill. So, it was quite a few years ago that this was what we decided was our best plan for how to do that.”

The purpose of the rummage sale is to reuse clothing, appliances and non-perishable food that is left behind by resident students. In some cases, students are unable to or don’t want to take some of their items when the semester is over. All items will be reasonably priced, Jackson said. The food shelf also benefits from unused non-perishable food left behind.

Over the years, the rummage sale has gained more attention. According to Jackson, last year’s sale had about 150 people lined up before the doors were opened. Only those connected to the college — with valid college ID — are allowed in at 11 a.m. Doors are open to the public after 1 p.m.

The rummage sale has become a symbol of “Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.”

“It’s a really great way to make sure there's still a usable life in things,” Jackson said.

For more information, contact Jackson at 518-564-4830 or email [email protected].