Residence Hall Rummage Sale Being Held May 19, Algonquin Dining Hall

“All rummage items are from students who have left them behind for donations,” said Michael Cashman, assistant director of the Center for Student Involvement. Items include clothing, appliances, small household goods, linens, school supplies and more. “They’ll be sold for a reasonable price with all proceeds going to the Interfaith Food Shelf.”

Cashman said in addition to the nominal price charged for something like a dorm-sized refrigerator, many shoppers give above and beyond the asking price as a donation.

“The Interfaith Food Shelf is able to get a pound of food for every 50 cents donated,” he said.

So far, the rummage sales have raised about $6,000 for the facility, which serves about 500 households each month, providing a four-day supply of food each visit up to seven times annually. More than 95 percent of all financial donations are used to purchase food.

“It’s the ultimate reuse and repurpose event because items that have not been sold have traditionally gone to the Salvation Army for their use,” Cashman said. In addition to household items and clothing, students have also left their stores of food stuffs to be donated as well.

“The Center has organized food drives for the food shelf and collected 850 pounds of food during the annual Days of Caring this year,” Cashman said. “The Project H.E.L.P. van is filled with food from this event now that will go to the food shelf.”