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Moving out? Donate to ShareFest May 10-16: Help the environment and those in need

Edited by Sarah Mattina, university news and communications intern

sharefest-load-couch

Volunteers help load furniture during Sharefest 2016. Volunteers came from the Oxford community and all parts of the region.  

During Miami University’s Move-Out Week (May 10-16), students and community members can help the environment and people in need by donating good quality furniture, clothing, appliances, food and housewares to ShareFest 2017.

ShareFest is an annual donation drive that prevents usable items from going to the landfill by directing them to social service agencies and nonprofit organizations from around the Oxford area.

How to Donate:

  • ShareFest volunteers will pick up your items   — Just fill out a form online: Schedule a Donation Pickup
  • Anyone within the 45056 zip code may schedule a donation pickup.
  • Drop off your donation at 101 West Chestnut St., Chestnut Fields parking lot (in the rear), between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 - Tuesday, May 16. 
  • On-campus students can use the collection boxes located in each residence hall.

sharefst-logoRecipient groups for 2017:

When ShareFest started in 2005, donations served 65 area families. Now, hundreds of families and many social service agencies benefit from ShareFest donations — items that might otherwise have ended up in the landfill. The 2017 recipient groups are:

  • Butler County Children Services: Many items collected from ShareFest are used to set up the first apartment of teenagers newly emancipated from the foster care program free of charge.
  • Butler County Success - Talawanda: Butler County Success will give its ShareFest donations to families free of charge.
  • Oxford Family Resource Center: The center has been involved in the planning and operation of ShareFest since it began. Since 2010, the center sells its ShareFest donations in order to maintain the funding needed for its services to the community.
  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati: Habitat for Humanity will sell its ShareFest donations at the Habitat for Humanity ReStores. The proceeds will be used to help fund its mission to eliminate substandard housing in Oxford and beyond.
  • Lighthouse Food Pantry: Since 2010, the Lighthouse sells its ShareFest donations in order to maintain the funding needed for its services to the community.sharefst-microwaves

    3 of the 106 microwave ovens donated during ShareFest 2016. On-campus students donated large quantities of food, clothing, small appliances and housewares (ShareFest 2016 Final Report).

  • Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries: Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries will sell its donations at area retail stores to help individuals with disabilities and veterans receive employment and training services and get jobs in the community.
  • Oxford Community Choice Pantry: The OCCP will provide its donations to shoppers free of charge.

ShareFest 2016 by the numbers:

  • 77 tons of merchandise was collected, an increase of almost 31 percent from 2015.
  • 269 off-campus donation pickups (of useable items).
  • More than 3,900 pounds of food was donated to the Oxford Community Choice Pantry.

Volunteer opportunities are available on the ShareFest website. Some groups may sell donations they receive, but all proceeds must benefit the needs of their clients.

ShareFest is a collaborative effort sponsored by the city of Oxford and Miami University’s Associated Student Government, student affairs and office of residence life, as well as nonprofit organizations, social service agencies, local businesses and religious organizations.