ShareFest begins its annual collection of gently used and reusable items from Miami University students and Oxford residents on Wednesday, May 15. The items will be redistributed to the area nonprofit organizations and local residents in need.
According to its website, ShareFest began in 2005, serving just 65 families in need. The following year, that number grew to 270 families. By 2009 the nonprofit reached over 600 families and ever since then, the organization has been creating lasting impacts on hundreds of people in the area. In 2017, the organization benefited seven recipient groups and received a “record 87 tons of donations” according to the website.
The collection drives coincide with the end of the academic year, a time when college students leaving town for the summer often have plenty of furniture, food and clothing that they don’t want to take with them.
The collection hours will be collecting donations are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 15 through Monday, May 20, and on Tuesday May 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ShareFest has multiple ways for people to contribute their donations. At each residence hall on Miami’s campus from May 15 to May 17, a designated area can be used for item drop off. Students or community members wishing to donate from off-campus housing are asked to fill out an off-campus donation pickup form, and ShareFest volunteers will come and pick up the items.
Donors not wishing to have their items be picked up can also drop their donations off at the Chestnut Fields Parking Lot, at 101 West Chestnut Street between May 15 and May 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and also May 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ShareFest is also able to give donors a charitable contribution form for tax purposes, but contact information is required at the time of drop-off.
In addition to item drop off, ShareFest accepts monetary donations as well.
A complete list of the items acceptable and non-acceptable for donation can be found on their website.
The organization is always seeking out volunteers for the event as well, and if you would like to sign up to volunteer, a sign-up form is available on the website.