Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

A routine end-of-school-year ritual became an opportunity for St. John’s University students to assist the needy and serve as responsible stewards of the environment. In cleaning out their residence hall rooms after the spring semester, students collected more than 2.5 metric tons of food, clothing, and household goods that were distributed to representatives of the Dax Program to support homeless students; St. John’s Bread & Life food pantry in Brooklyn, NY; and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Long Island.

Items placed in collection bins throughout the Residence Village included cans of nonperishable food, lightly used clothing, bedding, household supplies, and books. Volunteers emptied the bins twice daily, transporting the merchandise to a makeshift processing center in Donovan Hall, where it was driven later to the final destinations.

The 2.5 metric tons of collected merchandise exceeded the expectations of Jason T. Bartlett, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Residence Life, who organized the collection.

The program, called “St. John’s Saves: Student Move-Out Drive,” collected footwear, decorative goods, wall art, cleaning bags, laundry detergent, comforters and sheets, first aid supplies, and more. Nonperishable food was transported to St. John’s Bread & Life; household items were sent to Dax; and clothing went to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

It was a collaborative effort that included contributions from Campus Ministry; the Department of Campus Facilities and Services; the Office of Campus Sustainability; and the Vincentian Institute for Social Action.

Typically, end-of-year residential waste from colleges and universities is routed to landfills. The amount of waste tends to spike in May and June when students are moving out of dorm rooms. As landfills take on more waste they release methane—a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide—into the atmosphere. Methane helps create ozone which decreases air quality.

“This was an attempt by us to mitigate the influx of waste we can anticipate at this time of year,” said Peter Barker ’13CPS Associate Director of Environmental and Energy Conservation at the Office of Campus Sustainability. “These things would otherwise have gone to a landfill and instead we are getting them to people who need them.”

"Our St John's family has taken steps to move away from a throwaway culture reinforcing virtues like sustainability and stewardship," added Rachel Burgos '21CPS Residence Campus Minister for Vincentian Outreach Wellness & Leadership."Our Vincentian identity serves as a constant call-to-action urging us all together towards embracing an ethic care I am proud way we have been able foster deeper sense connection environment."

Environmental stewardship is at heart Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si' primary Vincentian value according Dr Bartlett hopes expand program next year Plans call earlier start collection perhaps early May 1 Mr Barker also hope establish permanent bins Queens NY campus members community donate items all year

“In my experience our students conditioned doing good” Dr Bartlett said “This opportunity rubber hit tarmac Helping others deeply rooted mission”