Pop Up Thrift Store Event Oct. 16, photo by Lily Ledesma

By Edgar Ramirez Jr, Staff Writer

As the holiday season starts, many people like to give thanks and appreciate what they have. Here at California State University, Dominguez Hills it is no different with the Basic Needs program.  

The CSUDH Basics Needs Program equips students with food, shelter, transportation or help with mental/health issues. The program has many resources on and off the campus to ensure students’ success. Basic Needs has partnered with Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week to give back to CSUDH students. 

Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week (H&H) is a nationwide sponsored event where people bring attention to food and housing insecurities by having educational services, fundraisers, or advocacy events. Some of the many events that H&H has are Sleep-outs, where participants learn and discuss about homelessness and the Hold an Empty bowl fundraiser where they raise money for local charities. The awareness week is always from the 14 of Nov. to the 20. 

The Basic Needs Program brings H&H to CSUDH campus by having similar events throughout the third week of November one of them is the Food Demonstration where people cook with the Associate Dean of Students Dr. Zachary Ritter and CalFresh Coordinator for CSUDH, Carolyn Tinoco. The program also had an event known as the Pop Up Thrift Store.

With the Pop Up Thrift Store, the Basic Needs program partners with CSUDH’s Sustainability Program to distribute clothing that was collected last year and hasn’t had the chance to be sold. 

“Around 71 students came out to pick up free clothing which was an amazing turnout,” said Morgan Kirk, Basic Needs Program Coordinator.

The Pop Up Thrift Store occurred during Nov. 16, where students, faculty, and staff could pick up a bag and stuff it full of clothing of all different sizes. The thrift shop included shirts, jeans, sweaters, jackets, and shoes for people to pick them up. 

“The Pop Up Thrift Shop isn’t just for hunger and homelessness it’s a way for students to sustainable shop,” said Lily Ledesma, CSUDH Manager Waste Coordinator.

Ledesma explains that the thrift shop is the best of both worlds. People come to the event to save money on clothes they may not have. At the same time, she explains that giving the items a second life is the sustainability part. 

The Basic Needs program had similar events for the rest of the holiday season. For example, for Thanksgiving, they hosted the Holiday Food Distribution where CSUDH was handing out meals for those who signed up through a Torolink. 

“All [250] spots have been reserved for this event but this is the first time that DH has handed out turkeys to students,” Kirk said. 

CSUDH will have another food distribution on Dec.10 where they will be providing a wide range of food. Basic Needs partners with CSUDH Annual Giving and Campus Dining to support students during COVID-19 as well as to educate and assist those in need.