Carnegie Mellon University
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute  ›  Publications  ›  Weekly Essentials  ›  2023  ›  Summer 2023  ›  Volunteer for The Whatever Drive by CMU
April 28, 2023

Volunteer for The Whatever Drive by CMU

The Whatever Drive helps divert unwanted items during move-out from landfills and dumpsters, and instead donates them to local community partners. This program supports the university’s larger sustainability initiatives. Don't ditch it--donate it!

This year's Whatever Drive will run from Monday, May 1 through Friday, May 12. Items can be dropped off at the Nexus of Civic Engagement from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday during the drive. The Nexus of Civic Engagement is located on the first floor of the Cohon University Center. There will also be opportunities to take donations, especially large donations, directly to the St. Vincent de Paul box trucks on May 3, 8, and 10 in various parking lots on campus. This drive will benefit St. Vincent de Paul, Thirty Mellon, CMU Pantry, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and Pittsburgh Prison Book Project. 

The Whatever Drive is in need of support to help transport and sort items. Please read the different descriptions below before putting your name and email address (under Andrew ID) on the sign up sheet. They are in need of support from May 3 - May 18. The execution of this program would not be possible without the service of our fellow Tartans!

  • Transporter

    • We will be collecting donations from students in the Nexus of Civic Engagement (located on the first floor of the Cohon University Center), and transporting these items over to the basement of Stever to sort the donations for our community partners

    • To start the shift, people will meet in the Nexus to transport items to the Stever Storage Room.

    • Items will be in red housing carts and wheeled over to the storage room. It may take several trips.

    • The red housing carts will need to be wheeled back to the Nexus after unloading them at Stever. 

  • Sorter

    • This role will inspect and sort the donated items in the Stever Storage Room (basement/entrance through load dock).

    • This includes removing items that would be deemed as trash and organizing items into categories to help with giving the items to our community partners.

      • Pittsburgh Prisoners Book Project: Books

      • EH&S Recycle: electronics, TVs, cords, batteries, cleaning supplies, paints, light bulbs

      • Thrifty Mellon: Clothing, shoes

      • CMU Pantry: Kitchenware, small appliances, hygiene items, plates, utensils, etc.

      • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank: Unexpired/unopened food, paper products, and cleaning supplies

      • St. Vincent de Paul: Household items

    • Gloves will be provided to sorters.

Thank you again for your support of the program. If you have any questions, please contact slice@andrew.cmu.edu.

Sign up here!