Move-Out Community Give Back Days to provide free items to the community

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the largest annual donation event in southeast Ohio returns this May 4 and 5 to the Athens County Fairgrounds.  

“Literal tons of quality furniture, food, clothing, carpet, and all manner of household items are collected through the combined efforts of University employees, non-profit groups and community volunteers.” said Andrew Ladd, Ohio University recycling and zero waste manager.  

“It is really astounding the volume of good stuff that gets diverted from the landfill in just a few weeks.” said Joanna Sokol, Ohio University zero waste coordinator. “The free Community Give Back Days are amazing events to be part of, providing food and usable items to those who can use them.  Helping others and helping our world at the same time.” added Sokol.

Using the Move-Out slogan “Don’t trash your stuff, Donate It!” Ohio University, the City of Athens, the Athens County Fair Board and multiple non-profit organizations have come together again to coordinate efforts to make it easy for students to donate non-perishable food, clothes, gently used furniture and more. 

More than 45 on-campus and eight off-campus donation sites will be available for students to donate their unwanted items. Through Friday, April 29, every Ohio University residence hall will have both an indoor collection area for non-perishable food and clothing as well as an outside donation area designated for carpet/rugs, furniture, and household items. 

For off campus residents, community non-profit organizations are staffing locations around town to drop off your reusable items:

Bromley Hall:  35 S. Congress St.
Now through 4/29 – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Athens County Fairgrounds: 286 W. Union St.
4/25 through 5/1 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 
5/2 through 5/3 – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Athens Train Depot: 123 W. Union St.
4/29 through 5/1 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.     

Christ Lutheran Church: 69 Mill St.
4/29 through 5/1 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.     

Southeast Ohio History Center:  24 W. State St.
Friday, 4/29 through 5/1 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Additionally, area thrift stores accepting drop off donations include:

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore: 309 W. Union St., Athens 
• Upcycle Ohio Thrift: 751 W. Union St., Athens
• New To You: 90 Columbus Rd., Athens
• Goodwill: 175 Columbus Rd., Athens

“Ninety percent or more of waste is recycle, reusable, or edible. If you want to have a positive impact, recycle more. If you’re wanting to get rid of the things you’ve been using that are still in good condition, there are all kinds of good routes that you can send them besides the landfill,” said Rural Action’s zero waste coordinator Ed Newman. 

The bulk of materials collected on-campus as well as some of the off-campus sites is then transported to the Athens County Fairgrounds where a core group of Junior Fair Board members and other volunteers put in hundreds of hours sorting and setting up for the give-away events.  

On Wednesday, May 4, the doors will open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

While supplies last, each family or individual will be provided with a pre-organized food box with staple items as well as additional bags of items such as ramen and breakfast bars if desired.  

Additionally, each family, or individual will be allowed one large item such as a futon or couch, up to 25 articles of clothing, unlimited carpet/rugs and unlimited smaller items including bedding, shelves, fans, school supplies, etc.

On the second day, Thursday, May 5, between 9 and 11 a.m. no quantity limits apply.  

The Move-Out Community Give Back Days are open to all and all items are free.

For more information regarding Move-Out Community Give Back Days, visit https://www.ohio.edu/recycle. 

If you would like more information regarding Campus Recycling’s participation, email Ladd at laddd@ohio.edu.