Cougar Free Store
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What? | Why? | Where? | Hours & Policies | Quick Donation Guide | Cougar Free Store Guide | Contact Us
The Cougar Free Store will be CLOSED for shopping through fall 2023 semester. We ARE accepting donations!
Free Store Pop-ups will still be hosted on campus - follow our Instagram (@sustaincofc) for more info!
What is a Free Store?
A free store is what it sounds like: a place where various items donated by the community can be taken and used by other members of that community. The Cougar Free Store is a place where members of the CofC community can donate items (see our list of Dos and Don'ts below) and take items for FREE.
Why Should I care?
Reducing Environmental Impact
As of 2020, over 60% of what we get rid of on campus goes to the landfill (see the College’s Zero Waste initiative). Because we serve as an alternative place for unwanted items to go, we divert them from becoming waste and encourage reuse instead.
We see older, extra, and unwanted goods on campus as resources that can and should be reused. We receive an average of 350 lbs of donations per month! Instead of sending items that are still usable to the landfill, please consider donating them to the Free Store.
Increasing Accessibility & Equity
We are a resource for members of the CofC community who may have difficulty accessing a range of things like school supplies, kitchenware, clothing and more. Our store aims to reduce financial strain and provide basic necessities of living with the support of others on campus.
Building a Stronger CofC Community
We ascribe to a mutual-aid system, where everyone has something to contribute, and everyone has something they need. We strive to foster an environment where everyone on campus not only feels welcome, but can connect with and help out fellow Cougars.
Where is the Cougar Free Store?
We are currently located on the first floor of 207 Calhoun Street, behind the Addlestone Library - you can access our building from Pitt or Calhoun Street. We are building #12 on the official campus map.
The building is currently under renovation, so we're only accessible from the back door that's in the alley between the 207 Calhoun and Addlestone Library. Donations are accepted in the the CSD Office space located immediately to the left as you walk in the back of the building. There is a white bin with dos/don'ts signage.
Inside the Cougar Free Store
The Cougar Free Store is typically open during the academic year when classes are in session. We are usually closed during parts of Winter Break, Spring Break, and Summer Break. Operating hours may be adjusted based on availability of CSD student staff.
We are currently closed for shopping through fall 2023.
What policies do you have?
To keep our store running smoothly, we do have a few policies we ask you to abide by:
- Be mindful of what and how much you take. Take only what you can carry.
- Leave the store the way you found it. Respect the space!
- Before you go, leave all hangers and sign out at the front.
- Exercise kindness and common sense.
- Take things to use or give. Do not take to resell.
- This resource is for students, faculty, and staff at CofC.
- Before donating, read our Free Store Guide/Quick Donation Guide (below) for clarification on what we do and don’t accept.
- As of Fall 2023, donations are only accepted on Tuesdays 10am-12pm & 2-5pm or by appointment
Dos and Don'ts of Donations
Donations must be clean and in working condition, and must be useful to someone else.
How do I donate to you?
The Cougar Free Store is accepting donations on Tuesdays from 10:00am - 12:00pm and 2:00-5:00pm or by appointment. To request an appointment, please email zeroWaste@cofc.edu.
Donations are accepted in the CSD office space. Once you enter the back entrance of the building, the office door is located immediately to the left. There is a white donation bin with dos/don'ts signage as soon as you walk into the office space.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or have any feedback on the Free Store, please let us know via email or stop by and talk to us - there should be someone in the office suites in the annex of 207 Calhoun Street that can help.
Center for Sustainable Development email: zeroWaste@cofc.edu
Updated: July 2023