Students Give it up and Give Back

Every May, students from the SDSU dorms pack up their stuff and return home for the summer. Instead of letting leftover food go to waste or getting rid of used items that just won’t fit in the car, many students are donating these items to organizations that help San Diego residents in need.

From May 2–19, SDSU students from the residence halls will participate in Give it Up, a program that collects and donates leftover food, unwanted clothing and appliances to the San Diego Food Bank and to Disabled American Veterans.

Needed contributions

During the past seven years, students have made a difference in the community with their donations without even knowing it, said Benita Mann, manager of housing facilities services and organizer of the Give It Up program.

“I don’t think that students realize that they actually help the community with their donations because by the time this program is over they are gone for the summer,” Mann said. “The items that students have contributed over the years are extremely appreciated and needed by members of the community.”

Used appliances, clothes, shoes and accessories donated to Disabled American Veterans help San Diego citizens who do not possess the resources to purchase these types of items at their original retail price. Donated used items in need of repair can also help provide jobs in the neighborhood as well.

Finishing up their meal plans

Students can also donate their leftover nonperishable food items to the San Diego Food Bank.

In the past, students have used the remaining balance on their meal plans to buy and donate nonperishable foods that can be easily found in the student stores. These items are perfect for the organization’s Food 4 Kids Backpack program, which sends hungry children home from school on Fridays with a weekend’s supply of food.

Last year, students helped donate about 10,500 pounds of food and 6,800 pounds of reusable items. This year, Mann hopes to exceed that amount in donations.

“By donating to these organizations, students are making a real difference in someone’s life,” Mann said. “Students have been very generous in the past with their donations and it would be great to donate even more this year.”

Donate now

Items that can be donated to Disabled American Veterans include:

• Gently used clothing
• Small appliances (clocks, radios, toasters, etc.)
• Small furniture items
• Used repairable items
• Other gently used, sellable items for thrift stores

Some suggested items for donation to the San Diego Food Bank include:

• Macaroni and cheese
• Cup ‘o Noodles
• Cereal
• Cereal and granola bars
• Instant foods
• Canned soups

Donation bins are located at each resident hall on campus, including University Towers and Villa Alvarado, until May 19.

There will also be donation bins at Piedra del Sol toward the end of May.