Penny pinchers and waste reducers rejoice- the Free Store has reopened for the summer! For a month and a half, we had to shut the store’s doors so that we could put all of our effort into Dump and Run, the massive task of collecting, cleaning, and organizing all the items students left behind after move-out. The donations filled two basement storage spaces and every inch of the store- you would have to see it to believe it! But now, every Wednesday from 10am-3pm during the summer, the Free Store will be open to fulfill all your needs- from a new outfit for that music festival, to a great summer read, to some kitchen gadgets for your new apartment. Opening day was a huge success- regulars returned and new comers flipped through the racks in awe. Customers left, arms loaded with sneakers, framed art, televisions, you name it! Volunteers were flying around, constantly reloading emptying shelves with treasures. Whether you’ve loved the store since the beginning or you’ve never h...

Another year, another Dump and Run! Every year, we tell ourselves, “we can’t possibly collect more things than we did last year!” And every year, we do end up collecting more things than we did last year. Whoops, where are my manners. I didn't explain what I am talking about. The Dump and Run is an event that targets people moving out of the residences at the University of Ottawa. Our group, the Office of Campus Sustainability, organizes the collection of unwanted (but still functional) items and food to then donate them either to the Free Store (for other students to use) or to local charitable groups. By collecting stuff what I mean is recuperating things that students leave behind when they move out of our campus residences. There are good reasons why people leave stuff behind. Some people are moving in with other people who have too much stuff, some people are going home and have no space, and some people are taking an airplane our of town – do you have room for that com...