Pacific Index

The Center for a Sustainable Society gives season’s greetings by distributing free holiday food and donations for fellow students

   As the woody, velvet smell of the Noble Fir permeates, Pacific’s winter break draws closer. Students are ready to return back home for the holidays, especially after the brief warmth of Thanksgiving. However, through the homestretch of finals week, the Center for a Sustainable Society (CSS) offers a taste of holiday festivities to help students make it through the burden of finals.

   The CSS is a program that enhances the wellbeing of our community. Through environmental projects, practices, and research, they have been able to provide numerous resources to the Forest Grove community. Luciana Linares, the Manager of the Finders Keepers Free Store, further explains, “One of the major points we are trying to get across about the Free Store is how much of an impact it has on sustainability. By collecting donations and giving them away for free, we are reducing the waste stream significantly at Pacific and in the broader community.”

   The Free Store will have a pop-up for winter clothes and decor through December 2 – 6. Located in the UC, it is advertised as a free option for retail therapy during finals week. If any Boxers miss the pop-up, don’t worry. Throughout the year the store receives donations practically everyday. Over the winter season, there is a spike in community donations after Christmas has left houses full of unwanted clutter. 

   “We are hoping to have a little holiday decor section in the store depending on how many donations we receive. Holiday items can be difficult because they are often donated after the holiday but we usually have some,” Linares commented.

   On top of clothing and lifestyle donations, the CSS is offering much more to lift the Christmas spirit on campus. For the month of December, the Boxer Food Share is giving away kits with common holiday favorites. The kits include green beans, cranberry sauce, stuffing, corn, fruit cocktail, and other traditional delicacies. “We have a student doing a project making the side’s kits for students again this year. It’s also not uncommon for us to have hot chocolate available or the fire pit going with marshmallows periodically through the holiday season,” says Ron Calkins, the Boxer Gardens Manager. They have a mission to provide students and employees access to free food in a welcoming and inclusive environment. With the exception of the holiday kits, they offer all types of food – from easy-prep non-perishables to abundant fresh fruits and vegetables. The food pantry is located at the Boxer Gardens, and will follow the academic calendar and remain open as long as classes are in session.