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From Nov. 14 through Dec. 9, university groups on the Kent Campus will be collecting clean, gently used or new items from all ages, including warm clothing, hats, gloves, scarves and sweaters.

The clothing collected will go to the four Winter Warm-Up Stations on campus, where students are encouraged to take whatever they need to stay warm this winter. The stations are located in the Williamson House, the first floor of the Kent Student Center, Schwartz Center Room 261 and the Tri-Towers front desk lobby.

Some of the clothing will also go to the Phyllis Zumkehr Portage County Clothing Center (PZPCCC), which provides items to homeless individuals, families, the elderly and veterans in need, free of charge.

Those who wish to donate should look out for large boxes with clothing drive signs, which will be located at:

• Design Innovation Hub, second floor lobby.
• Center for Undergraduate Excellence, first floor, Room 151.
• Library, first floor lobby.
• Schwartz Center, Room 261 (above Admissions).
• Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center, lobby.
• Tri-Towers, front desk lobby.
• Williamson House. first floor front desk lobby.

The drive is coordinated by ������'s CARES Center, Career Exploration and Development, Community Engaged Learning, Design Innovation, LaunchNET, Kent Student Center, the Women's Center and Undergraduate Student Government, and organized by the Office of Sustainability.

Melanie Knowles, sustainability manager, wants students to know they will be supporting a meaningful cause.

“The Winter Coat and Clothing Drive is a way for our community to come together and care for one other,” Knowles said. “We’re excited about all the departments that are partnering on this and the impact we are having, and also very grateful for all the people who donate.”

Each year the number of donation locations and on-campus warm-up stations has grown. In 2021, more than 1,000 pounds of clothing was donated to PZPCCC, and hundreds of articles of winter clothing were left at the Winter Warm-Up Stations.

“As temperatures drop, we want to make sure everyone has what they need to stay warm,” Knowles said. “It’s also a way to keep clothing out of the landfill by supporting reuse close to home.”

If you have any second-hand, clean, gently used items, please consider visiting a donation box this winter!

For more information on the Winter Coat and Clothing Drive, please visit
www.kent.edu/sustainability/winter-coat-and-clothing-drive

WRITTEN BY: MATEO MARTIN, FLASH COMMUNICATIONS