Kellogg Community College’s annual Free Store is returning on December 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Kellogg Room, offering the campus and community free access to donated clothing, home goods, toys, books, décor, and potential holiday gifts. Donations are currently being collected across campus, including in the Roll Building, Student Life, and the Davidson Visual and Performing Arts Center.
The event, now becoming a campus tradition, first began in 2023 when a member of the Environmental Club envisioned a way to help students while reducing waste. “The Free Store started back in 2023, thanks to a very passionate member of our (then-active) Environmental Club,” said Kristin McDermott, Director of Student Life. “Their dream was simple and delightful: give our campus community a chance to holiday-shop (or just treat themselves!) for free, while rescuing gently used items from heading to a landfill.”
This year, the Free Store is co-hosted by the Student Nurses Association (SNA) and Phi Theta Kappa officers (PTK), continuing the collaborative spirit that has helped the event grow and thrive. According to McDermott, the Free Store has two main goals: “Save perfectly good stuff from the trash, and give people a little spark of joy.” She said the event consistently brings positive energy to the campus, adding, “People LOVE donating items they cared about but no longer need, and the joy on the faces of students who find something special? Chef’s kiss.”
Donations include everything from books and quirky décor to practical items like kitchen supplies and apartment essentials, categories McDermott says are always in high demand. For many donors, the event carries personal significance. Alexis Arocho, an academic advisor at KCC, recently donated a wagon full of items. “My house feels so much cleaner and more organized,” she said. “I’m happy knowing my donations will go to someone who really needs them or can put them to good use. Most of these items were things I hadn’t used in years, and it feels great that they’re now being put toward a meaningful purpose.”
While not all students have visited the Free Store before, many recognize its potential. Jonas Van Gelder, a KCC student, said, “The idea of a free store on campus is really cool to me, because there are a lot of people who can utilize it and benefit from free food and school supplies.” He believes certain items would be particularly useful to students, noting, “The most important things that students would need would be writing utensils like pencils and different colored pens, and snack items like granola bars.” He also emphasized the value of more initiatives like this: “Working + School + shopping for yourself is very stressful, and things that can alleviate one of those factors would be very beneficial.”
McDermott encourages students to contribute if they can and reminds the campus community that leftover items are donated to the Charitable Union at the end of the event. “This event really does take a village,” she said. “The more villagers Bruins, the merrier!” For more information on how to donate, students can reach out to Student Life by visiting the office located in the Battle Creek campus or by emailing studentlife@kellogg.edu.
The Free Store opens on December 3, and donations are welcome right up to the event. Organizers hope students will stop by, donate if they can, and help share the event across the campus and community. With growing involvement each year, the Free Store continues to show how small acts of giving can build a stronger, more connected Bruin community.
