As students pack up and head out for this summer, a troubling pattern repeats itself: dumpsters around the University of South Carolina overflow with perfectly usable bedding, clothing, and unopened food—items that could make a real difference for someone else.
While these goods are tossed aside, many people in the surrounding community are struggling to meet basic needs. A few extra minutes and a small shift in mindset can turn move-out waste into meaningful support and make your travel MUCH lighter. Here’s how you can make that choice count.
On-campus: Give It Up For Good
Give It Up For Good is a major sustainability effort, allowing students to donate clothing, household goods, small appliances, and non-perishable food during move-out in late April. Donation bins are placed in all residence hall lobbies, available for drop-offs at all times. They typically appear as large cardboard boxes with signs indicating their purpose. This runs from April 13 to May 7.
The following list contains specific requests from the program’s website:
- Clothing: Gently used, unstained clothing.
- Household Items: Decorations, hangers, storage bins, and small appliances (vacuums, lamps, microwaves, dorm-size fridges, and more).
- Furniture: Any household furniture items.
- Non-Perishable Food: Canned goods and non-perishables, specifically for Harvest Hope and Gamecock Pantry.
- Plastic Bags: Collected for reuse by food banks.
Off-Campus Options
Local organizations outside of the university are also in dire need of donations. Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity are good off-campus alternatives in the area, as well as any thrift store or other donation organization.
The following is a list of some desired items for these organizations:
- Clothing/Accessories: All seasons of men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, shoes, purses, jewelry, hats, and belts.
- Household Goods: Kitchen items (pots, pans, dishes), home decor, linens, curtains, blankets, and small appliances (toasters, blenders, and more).
- Media/Electronics: Books, DVDs, records, computers, laptops, printers, and flat-screen TVs/monitors.
- Furniture/Other: Small, easily moved furniture, sporting goods, tools, and toys.