The Share Shop is a new resource for Illinois State University students to shop secondhand completely free of charge. This was all made possible through the hard work of the students in the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Office of Sustainability.
Located in the Office of Sustainability, 305 North School Street, students can come in and shop for whatever clothing they need. This is a way for students who can’t spend money on clothes or don’t have a way to get to thrift stores off campus to have access to secondhand clothing.
Share Shop is also hoping to have textbooks available for students, and it is looking to expand its collection of available books.
Members of the SGA have wanted to start a program like this for several years, and the collaboration with the Office of Sustainability allowed for the Share Shop to open in early April of this year.
“The Share Shop is an initiative inspired by a similar store at Knox College in Galesburg. Clothes, books, shoes, and other items can be donated by dropping them off at the Office of Sustainability, though we’re working to expand donation sites,” said Avery Spranger, Share Shop leader and SGA member.
Spranger added that the Share Shape helps bridge the gap between student resources while contributing to sustainability. Textile and clothing waste is quickly filling up landfills, and there are no thrift stores that are walking distance from campus.
The Share Shop intends to provide a place for people to donate their clothing and textbooks they no longer use, while giving an opportunity for people to find items that are new to them. In addition, the shop will serve as a resource for students that may not have money or time for new clothing for events like interviews, or just general use, as well as those not able to afford textbooks.
“This service highlights important sustainable practices such as reusing clothing instead of throwing it away. We try to provide these items to those in need, while diverting it from landfill,” said William Thwaits, sustainability student manager at the Office of Sustainability.
All items at the Share Shop are completely free, but students are encouraged to check in at the desk and to post about their items on social media to spread the word about this project.
Visit the Share Shop’s Instagram account to see the kind of items available.
This semester, it’s open Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Fridays, from noon to 6 p.m. Next semester it should be open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to expand access for both shopping and donations.
