Autumn has come to the City of McKeesport, then comes along winter with its cold and blizzards all over the northeast. Everyone has bundled up in winter coats and hats and dealing with freezing mornings on the drive to work or school. However, most people in some parts of Pittsburgh are not lucky to have winter jackets or other necessities for this weather. For over two years, Penn State Greater Allegheny has opened its own little thrift store for anyone to gather new clothes for free.
The Free Store, located in the Frable Building’s basement, is open every Tuesday and Thursday night from 6 pm-8 pm and on Thursday afternoon from 12:15 pm-1:15 pm. Student Leadership and Residence Life Coordinator, Louise Whyte-Aravich, had a few statements to present about her part in this.
“The Free Store opened in November 2017,” she explained. “The idea came from The Free Store in Braddock and Erin O’Malley, the former Associate Director of Student Affairs. She worked with Gisele Fetterman (wife of former Braddock Mayor, now Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor, John Fetterman) and the staff of The Free Store in Braddock to duplicate the idea with McKeesport and White Oak communities, as well as students on campus. Chancellor Dr. Jaqueline Edmondson, Office of the Physical Plant, and the Student Government Association also played a large part in helping to open the store.”
The campus’ Free Store created an impact through donating old clothes from suits, blouses, shirts, and slacks all of it free to take home to anyone. It is a way to give back to the community, but a few people know of its existence. Betty Davis, one of The Free Store’s volunteers, explains only a few people are arriving to donate their clothes.
“Nobody is here, only six people if we’re lucky,” Davis stated, “The store doesn’t get that many people and the only way you hear about it is by word-of-mouth.” Davis volunteers at two different churches, on different days of the week. She helps gather food and furniture on Mondays while feeding others on Fridays in the churches kitchen for those who cannot receive meals.
“Our campus, once being called ,Penn State McKeesport, has deep ties in the community. There was a need in the community, and we had space and volunteer resources,” Whyte-Aravich said. Her heartwarming statement shows that Penn State students, faculty, and staff have a way to give back to the community in any way possible.
Although Whyte-Aravich helps to run The Free Store, it seems not many seem to take advantage of the store or donate to it. “Students do not use the store as much as the community that is true. At orientation and throughout their arrival to PSUGA, students are told about The Free store. The residence hall has signage, as do other areas on campus. The info was on the digital TV’s, but we need to get the info back on there.
Although The Free Store closed for winter break, people still have time to gather some clothes and necessities. For those from the Greater Allegheny, this is the best gift to give back to the McKeesport this time of the year.
Store hours:
OPEN – Tuesdays 6 PM – 8 PM
Thursdays 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM and 6 PM – 8 PM
CLOSED – Winter Break
REOPEN – Second Week of January 2020
Story and photo by Riley Perciavalle (rup70@psu.edu)
Lovely story! The free store is great.