Each year, students, faculty and staff donate clothing, household items and food to benefit charities and individuals in the Syracuse community through the Ten Tons of Love collection drive. The current drive runs through Thursday, May 11.
In a new partnership with the Rescue Mission, all donated clothing and household items will go to benefit the Rescue Mission’s programs and services that help address hunger and homelessness issues. Food items will help stock the Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry.
Collection boxes are located in the Schine and Goldstein student centers, the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services (754 Ostrom Ave.) and all residence halls. This year, Off-Campus and Commuter Services is also collaborating with Phi Gamma Delta fraternity to host collection boxes in fraternity and sorority houses.
“The chapters represented in our Greek community are founded upon values and principles of service,” says Tyler Nickerson, a senior and community service chair of Phi Gamma Delta. “We are all committed to giving back to the community, especially to support the needs of families in the local area. We are happy that we could support and expand the Ten Tons of Love effort by coordinating collections within the fraternity and sorority houses on campus.”
In addition to the collection boxes, the Rescue Mission is available by appointment to collect donated items and some furniture from off-campus apartments. Details of what can and cannot be accepted, as well as contact information to see if your donation qualifies for pick up, are outlined on the Rescue Mission’s donation page.
“We are excited to once again coordinate the annual Ten Tons of Love collection and expand the program by engaging in new partnerships with the Rescue Mission and Phi Gamma Delta,” says Elin Riggs, director of the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services. “This initiative brings students, faculty and staff together to give back, promote sustainability, and collaborate to benefit our community—it’s a win/win!”
For more information, contact the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services at 315.443.5489.
