Don’t dump it, donate it

Each spring season, students tear open closets, leave furniture on the curb and get rid of belongings they can no longer take home. Futons, mini fridges, lamps, winter coats and boxes of textbooks, among other items, are often discarded. The sidewalks outside student housing are covered in items, and most of it ends up in the garbage.

But it doesn’t have to end that way. A growing number of donation options allow students to give their gently used belongings a second life. The campus offers multiple donation-drives and surrounding neighborhoods have thrift stores only minutes away from SU. 

“It always feels good to donate stuff because it makes space and gives you a feeling that you’ve condensed your unnecessary needs,” Katherine Ferris, a Syracuse University senior said. “And also it’s going to a good place.”

‘Cuse Collections

For students, the easiest place to donate is right on campus. Syracuse University’s Sustainability Management office runs an annual end-of-year drive called ‘Cuse Collections, typically held during the last week of the spring semester. This year, from April 29 to May 5, storage containers will be open from 9AM-5PM and will be located at the DellPlain Hall loading dock and in the Sadler Hall lot for donations.

Some examples of accepted donations include small kitchen appliances like microwaves, toasters, blenders, pots and pans, gently used or new clothing, shoes and non-perishable food items. These items are distributed to local nonprofits, community organizations and the campus’ food pantries. 

In spring 2025, the drive collected more than 30 large bins of donated items, which were distributed to nonprofits community organizations throughout the week. The program has grown each year since its launch and connects SU directly to the surrounding Syracuse community.

Still, awareness remains a challenge.

“For a lot of my time at Syracuse, I was not aware that there were donation options on campus provided by the Sustainability Management office,” Ferris said. “I personally have never seen these bins. Nor did I know that they were available.”

Ferris is not alone; other students shared the same sentiment.

“I actually was not aware that there are donation options on campus,” said Sabrina Pamoukian, a Syracuse University senior.

The sustainability office sends out an email at the end of the school year with bin locations, but students still say they are not aware.

“I just feel like nobody ever looks at those emails,” Ferris said. “None of my friends have, and I personally have never seen that email.”

Regardless, this is a great opportunity for students without vehicles to donate items they can no longer keep or transport home, allowing them to give back to the community without needing to arrange their own drop-off transportation.

The Rescue Mission and Thrifty Shopper

For students with access to a car or who want to donate furniture and larger items, the Rescue Mission of Syracuse operates multiple drop-off locations around the city. The Thrifty Shopper typically accepts clothing, accessories and household goods — but at select locations, furniture in good condition is accepted as well. All proceeds stay local and support Central New York residents. 

For those who think it would be difficult to transport their belongings, Thrifty Shopper partners with Resupply, a veteran-owned pickup service, for large furniture donations. Even bulky items that seem easier to toss can still be repurposed.

Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore

Habitat ReStore is one of the most versatile donation sites in Syracuse, accepting furniture, appliances, kitchenware and home goods. It’s especially useful for students moving out of off-campus apartments who have accumulated more than just clothes.

The ReStore offers scheduled pickup for large donations. Items that are in good condition are accepted, with proceeds supporting Habitat’s affordable housing work in the Syracuse area.

The Salvation Army and Planet Aid

The Salvation Army’s Family Thrift Store accepts clothing, furniture and household items on a walk-in basis.

“The Salvation Army on Erie Boulevard is a very, very easy place to donate to, and they’re always so happy and accepting,” Pamoukian said. “They basically just take anything. I even donated some wallpaper and some wood cleaner last week.”

The motivation to donate, Pamoukian says, goes beyond just clearing space.

“It felt really good knowing that my stuff was going to someone who needed it,” Pamoukian said. “I’m fortunate enough to be able to repurchase some of these items, but knowing that other people can’t, and they can get that at a severely discounted price, makes me feel better about not wanting to keep them.”

For students who prefer a bin-drop approach without needing to go inside a store, Planet Aid operates over 270 clothing donation bins across Upstate New York, including locations in Syracuse. Their purpose is to collect unwanted items and recycle them for reuse.  

Where to donate

‘Cuse Collections (on campus)- End of spring semester

Thrifty Shopper / Rescue Mission– multiple Syracuse locations

Habitat ReStore– 514 W. Genesee St. | Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat, 9am-4:30pm 

Salvation Army– 2433 Erie Blvd. East | Mon–Sat, 10am-7pm

Planet Aid bins–  270+ locations across Upstate NY