For the past four years, donation collection boxes have been placed in the residence halls on the Newman campus a few weeks before students move out.
Morris “Mo” Floyd, director of security at Newman University, was motivated to find an alternative use for gently used items and came up with the idea of the donation boxes.
“I saw in the dumpsters a lot of usable appliances and clothing — in fact, clothing with tags still on it,” Floyd said.
Prior to taking the position of campus security, Floyd was a police officer with the Wichita Police Department and worked closely with the officer who started a homeless outreach program. He said officers refer people in need to His Helping Hands and knew it would be a great place for the donations.
With the help of student volunteers, members of campus ministries and residence life, Floyd has been able to create and continue a collection drive. Since its first year, the collections have grown. Floyd stated that for the past three years, the donations took up an entire dorm room in Merlini Hall.
Floyd picks up and sorts the donations through the end of finals week. He added, “When all the students move out, we will stop.”
Kitchen utensils, appliances, lamps and clothing are some of the most common items that are collected on campus. Unopened and prepackaged food is not wasted either, according to Floyd, who takes it to his church’s pantry.
Floyd said he is thankful for all the contributions Newman students make to the drive.
“I am just thankful these students donate these usable items. … They drop it off and walk away and they may not realize the impact [it has].”
