UMD Housing & Residence Life and the Office of Sustainability are collecting and distributing winter gear to UMD students.
The gently-used items are being collected at several spots around campus and at UMD’s Halloween event, Boo M D, on October 30. On Thursday, November 1, the donations will be offered to Bulldogs in a pop-up store within the UMD Express Store, 109 Kirby Plaza.
"Through this winter clothing drive, we hope to support UMD students. We don't always know who’s in need and, oftentimes, there can be shame associated with being labeled as a ‘student in need,’” explains Assistant Housing Director Amanda Perrin.
The store is the end-product of a collaboration between Housing and Residence Life, Office of Sustainability, UMD’s Greek Life, and UMD Stores. Perrin says the groups share a goal collecting from the UMD community and giving to the UMD community in an open way that asks no questions and casts no judgment.
“Through an open exchange of goods, the entire community can benefit as a whole, with the largest hope being our unknown students in need can access what is needed without judgment about whether they are in need enough to obtain warm clothing,” she says. “We all deserve to be warm."