The college’s State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) campaign is teaming up with Students Helping Oz Peers (SHOP) pantry to collect new or clean, gently used coats, hats, scarves, gloves and mittens to stock their shelves for the spring semester.
Helena Buttons, the student coordinator for SHOP, proposed the idea to the SEFA committee, which they embraced enthusiastically. Many students lack these basic necessities and can’t afford them, which is where this effort will help keep many safe and warm in the winter months.
“SHOP sees a need particularly for freshly washed hats, gloves and thick socks during this time of the year,” said Buttons, a senior dual majoring in communication and social interaction and in English. “We also could use some winter boots, if anyone has any laying around.”
In addition, SHOP’s most-needed items tend to be pastas and sauces as well as toiletries, such as shampoos, razors, toilet paper, paper towels and more.
Meeting a need
“SHOP is vital to the campus community,” Buttons said. “Food insecurity affects, in a study done on our campus in 2020, up to 32 percent of the student population. National studies show up to 60 percent of college students experience food insecurity at some point.”
When nearly two-thirds of students find accessing necessities a challenge, efforts and conversations on how to better serve them are important, Button noted.
”Having access to basic needs such as food, toothbrushes and toothpaste, winter coats, condoms or a blazer for a job interview can help take the pressure off and can allow the user the chance to take a breath,” Buttons said “We are also an on-campus opportunity to give back directly to peers, faculty and staff in need. We love the community that SHOP has built with over 100 volunteers and look forward to continuing to serve as many people as we can this semester.”
Donations are especially welcome through Jan. 31 so that SHOP can get ready to serve students for the semester. Those with donations can look for collection boxes located in buildings across campus, or drop off items to their SEFA building representative.
For larger donations, SHOP also will be open by appointment through Jan. 30; people can set up a dropoff time by emailing their availability to shop@oswego.edu. SHOP plans to open for normal hours on Jan. 31, with the schedule remaining the same as last semester: 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Additional questions regarding the clothing drive should be directed to sefa@oswego.edu.
Visit the SEFA website to learn more about SEFA and how it supports community causes.