Despite freezing temperatures, Arcadia University student and staff volunteers joined the Community and Civic Engagement Center (CCEC) for its annual Give and Shred event on Martin Luther King Day of Service on Jan. 20. 

Residents from surrounding communities visited campus to shred documents with Wiggins Shredding Company and ProShred in exchange for a variety of donations to support community projects. This year, CCEC is focusing on collecting the most requested items for several local nonprofit organizations. 

“This event creates an opportunity to unite the public and local organizations in the redistribution of goods that would otherwise be thrown away,” said Kiara Jacoby ’21, a co-coordinator of the event along with Sydney Schollenberger ’20. “Give and shred” supports a more sustainable and equitable community. Despite the cold weather, it is inspiring to see the collaboration.”

Attendees were encouraged to bring non-perishable food for Arcadia’s Knights for Nutrition food pantry; books for Project HOME, a nonprofit organization empowering individuals to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness; professional attire for Career Wardrobe, a nonprofit social enterprise that uses clothing and professional development to empower unemployed individuals to work; semi-formal and formal dresses for a sale that will benefit the Covenant House, a nonprofit organization that provides shelter and support services for homeless and displaced adolescents; or cash donations to benefit additional CCEC service projects. 

Philadelphia’s 6ABC Action News covered the event as part of a roundup on community events to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the area.