May 27, 2025
St. John’s University students have again turned a laborious, end-of-school-year ritual into an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the environment and the less fortunate.
Students joined faculty, administrators, and staff in participating in St. John’s Saves, a residence village move-out effort that collected more than 3.5 metric tons of food, clothing, and household essentials. The items were distributed to representatives of the Dax Program to support homeless students; St. John’s Bread & Life food pantry in Brooklyn, NY; the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Long Island; and the used books clearinghouse Better World Books.
“This should be the norm,” said Lily Broedel ’25C, newly graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Global Development and Sustainability from St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and an Ozanam Scholar. “All of this would be thrown away when so many people might need it. Some people do not have the money to buy a nice top or cannot buy shoes for a job interview, and they deserve to have them.”
Collection bins were displayed in the residence halls and at St. Thomas More Church from May 1 to 16. Students donated nonperishable food, lightly used clothing, lighting and other room essentials, household supplies, athletic equipment, electronics, books, and more. Volunteers emptied the bins several times daily, transporting the merchandise to a holding area in Donovan Hall.
Nearly 160 St. John’s community members took part over the 17 days, according to Jason T. Bartlett, Ph.D., Director, Office of Residence Life, who organized the effort. On May 16, volunteers loaded the merchandise onto a St. Vincent de Paul Society truck, where it was driven to the final destinations. More than 40 bins of clothing alone were loaded onto the truck.
“We have established relationships with these partners,” said McKenzie Crissman ’24C, pursuing a master’s degree in Environmental Sustainability and Decision Making at St. John’s College. “I know where the food is going, and I have seen what Bread & Life does and how much positivity it creates in people.”
“To take everything from the dorms that is not going to be used anymore is the whole point of sustainability,” added McKenzie, a St. John’s environmental Green Team member.
Residential waste from colleges and universities has traditionally been routed to landfills. The amount of waste rises in May and June, when students move out of dorm rooms.
Begun last year, St. John’s Saves is a sustainability effort that includes contributions from Campus Ministry, the Department of Campus Facilities and Services, the Institute for Vincentian Impact, and the Office of Campus Sustainability. It was inspired by the late Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si', which amplified Catholic teaching on the relationship between environmental and social issues.
“Pope Francis was excellent at reminding us of the central reason we should engage in this kind of stewardship,” Dr. Bartlett said. “It is a significant undertaking at an already busy time of year, but it allows our students the opportunity to make a smart choice and support those in need.”
“We save resources from the landfill and give them new life to support people and other organizations in our little corner of the world,” Dr. Bartlett added.
Volunteers separated the donated clothing and, in a new wrinkle, forwarded lightly worn business attire to University Career Services’ Career Closet, where students can select items for job and internship interviews. The Career Closet, a free student resource, is located in Chiang Ching-Kuo Hall. It is open by appointment and during Common Hour on Mondays and Thursdays during the school year.
“These contributions enable students who might not own business attire to build a professional wardrobe for interviews and networking events,” said Ellen Burti, Assistant Vice President, University Career Services. “It is a great service in the Vincentian spirit of helping others.”