Hoosier to Hoosier is a reuse program that works on a three-tier platform to encourage sustainability. These tiers are to divert reusable items from the landfill during student move-out, prevent additional resource consumption by selling collected items to students and community members and raise funds for local charities and other organizations.
Jacqui Bauer, sustainability coordinator for Bloomington, started a group in 2009 to discuss a solution to all the waste generated during student move-out.
“The idea was to be able to sell back to the community at large,” Bauer said.
Starting in 2010, the joint effort between Bloomington and IU built what is now the Hoosier to Hoosier community sale. On Saturday August 22 at the Warehouse, 1525 South Rogers St., both students and residents are allowed to both volunteer and purchase items.
Patrons are allowed to come to the Warehouse for a $10 early bird admission from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Admission is $5 for students with a valid ID and $20 maximum per individual family. Children under 16 are free.
Between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., at the sale’s close, admission is free.
Sale items will be priced to sell, and all transactions will be cash only.
This year the sale will offer a “boutique” section for the first time, which will offer high-quality, brand-name items still at a significant discount.
As the sale continues, item prices are steadily reduced on a larger percentage.
All items are inspected by a bed bug dog every year in order to ensure there are no pests.
A free shuttle will be offered three times during the duration of the sale for IU students visiting the Warehouse. The shuttle will stop at McNutt, Eigenmann and Forest residence halls.
This is the first year a shuttle service will be offered to IU students.
“We hope this encourages students to make the trek,” Bauer said.
Student involvement is highly encouraged and more student volunteers will benefit the sale greatly, Bauer said.
Each year the sale also works with a nonprofit organization and donates a portion of the proceeds made at the sale to the respective organization.
Last year, Habitat for Humanity worked in collaboration with the sale, and this year Cutters Soccer Outreach Program will receive the donation.
Cutters Soccer Club provides Bloomington and surrounding south-central communities with competitive and recreational soccer opportunities for players ages 5-18. Hundreds of families are affiliated with the organization, making a large volunteer pool for the event.
In the 2014 sale, $34,000 was raised and split between the two partners, both donating to the charity group.
The Office of Sustainability hires one student intern each semester to help assist with the sale.
The intern this year, Annabella Habegger, was hired to focus directly on campus involvement. This includes outreach, social media presence and encouraging student volunteers.
“The interns help us to see the best way to approach students,” Bauer said. “The outlets are constantly changing with engagement.”
The hardest part of the sale is finding volunteers for the day event.
During the summer sessions, multiple student groups such as the Office of First Year Experience Programs, the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute, the School of Public and Environmental Affairs service groups and general service groups offered assistance with preparations.
The actual event cannot run smoothly without our student volunteers, Bauer said.
