Karter Long
Junior Nicole Roman at Share Shop
The Knox College Share Shop, a free thrift store located in the basement of Conger Neal, has undergone a transformation this summer thanks to the dedication and hard work of student volunteers. The project involved extensive reorganization of the shop’s space, creating sections for clothing organized by size, kitchen appliances, books, and dorm essentials.
Volunteers spent many hours sorting, cleaning, and reorganizing the space, making it more inviting for students on campus. It has evolved into a space that resembles a thrift store rather than a traditional donation center. By creating new structured donation areas, students can shop sustainably and also contribute to the shop.
“You don’t really think about the amount of waste that’s produced during college. The Share Shop shows that you can donate things you don’t need and shop for items you do, all while saving money,” said volunteer Junior Nicole Roman.
The Share Shop is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and is run entirely by student volunteers. During open hours, students are more than welcome to volunteer as a Share Shop Attendant, and be responsible for welcoming visitors, tidying the space, keeping track of visitors, and closing up for the day.
The Share Shop relies on volunteers to keep the space afloat as a community-driven project, and on those who believe in the value of giving back.
“The space isn’t something we’re paid to do,” Roman added. “It relies on people who see potential and want to add to it. It’s just a little cycle of giving back to the community.”
Students interested in volunteering or learning more about the Share Shop can reach out via email to [email protected] or [email protected].