Jacks giving back: Annual winter clothing and food drive collects more than 1,200 donated items

Volunteers sort clothes

Nov. 8, 2018

The 16th annual Classified Staff Advisory Council’s winter clothing drive has come to an end, though the outcome will make a lasting impact.

For the past month, Northern Arizona University students and employees have donated new or gently used coats, sweaters, gloves, hats, socks, sweatshirts, blankets and other warm items at drop-off boxes across campus. CSAC also accepted non-perishable food items to benefit NAU’s on-campus food pantry, Louie’s Cupboard.

“This year, CSAC teamed up with the NAU Student Philanthropy Council,” said Judy Manor, organizer of the event. “They helped promote the drive among the student population and also helped us with sorting the donations.

Nineteen volunteers worked together to provide boxes and sort through the heaps of clothing, bagging items for beneficiaries to later pick up. In total, CSAC collected 1,193 clothing items and blankets and 211 non-perishable food items. All of it will benefit the Flagstaff Shelter Service, Sunshine Rescue Mission, Northland Family Help Center, Sharon Manor and Louie’s Cupboard.

“I was very pleased with all of the donations we collected and grateful to the campus community for giving,” Manor said. “I think the volunteers get a sense of being a part of something big that is helping others, and those who donate feel satisfaction for giving back to the Flagstaff community.