BY EMILY NESS | The Statesman In America today, college is considered a necessity, yet priced as a luxury.
For comparison, a brand new 2016 Toyota Camry is $23,070. Similarly to a quality car, students want a quality education. According to the University of Minnesota Duluth website, the cost of tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation and other expenses averages out to $23,998 for residents of Minnesota and $27,948 for residents of other states.
Along with the expenses of college come the expenses of life. Between gas, groceries and other necessities, money adds up fast. A grocery run including basic toiletries (toothpaste, facewash, Advil) and food (milk, bread, poptarts, canned soup, frozen pizza, yogurt) is $33.94 at SuperOne and $47.09 at UMD (see: “Grocery grab”).
Now that winter is approaching, college students on tight budgets must figure out where they will get warm clothes. Some are desperate, wearing only what they own rather than purchasing a coat, and going cold in order to pay for college. This does not have to happen thanks to local organizations that serve the community members in need, including college students.
One of these organizations is the Damiano Center. It has been serving people in Duluth since 1982 by providing essential services to individuals in need.
There are a multitude of programs at the Damiano Center but two of the most popular are the Clothing Exchange Program and the Clothes That Work Program. Both provide clothes for individuals in need.
The Clothing Exchange Program provides individuals with everyday wear. The Clothes That Work Program provides individuals with professional clothing.
According to Patti Nadeau, the clothing programs coordinator, the program takes donations for just about anything that people can pick up and bring home. These items include clothes, books, towels, bedding, etc. The program does not take edible donations, however.
“This facility serves people of all ages,” Nadeau said. “There are no questions asked. If a college student came in, we probably wouldn’t even know it, due to the policy. We simply require individuals to write down their gender and the number of items that they take for inventory purposes.”
According to Katherine Mueller, Development Director, in 2014 and 2015 the Clothing Exchange Program distributed 450,000 items. The Clothes That Work Program distributed 15,580 items.
“If a student was coming in looking for something, they would probably go to the Clothing Exchange Program,” Mueller said. “ However, if they needed something other than everyday wear for an interview or a job, they would be directed to the Clothes That Work Program.”
The Center believes in building a stronger community. In addition to serving individuals of all ages, the center serves individuals of all walks of life. “Many individuals are homeless and simply come for a change of clean clothes,” Nadeau said.
"If someone does need a coat, gloves or a hat, they are welcome to stop by at any time, as we keep our winter clothes in the lobby. They are welcome to come, take whatever warm item that they need and go on their way,” Mueller said.
The Damiano Center also does its best to give individuals incentive to get jobs.
“Those that are looking for a job are welcome to take two outfits, one pair of shoes and one purse or a tie; while those that are employed are welcome to take five outfits, two pairs of shoes and one purse or a tie,” Nadeau said.
Many people take advantage of the service.
“We are very busy. We usually have around 25 people come in between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. alone,” Nadeau said.
Even if students aren’t in need, the Damiano Center is a great place to volunteer. "We have a lot of volunteer opportunities. We have good relationships with UMD and Saint Scholastica and work with students from both,” Mueller said.
“People get very attached to this place. Many of our volunteers have been here for over ten years,” Nadeau said.
“In addition to the Clothing Exchange and Clothes That Work Programs, the Community Services Program could also be helpful for people in need--potentially students,” Nadeau said.
The Community Service Program provides individuals with advocacy, gas vouchers, bus tokens, telephone lines and connections to other community resources.
Another resource similar to the Damiano Center is the Duluth Salvation Army.
“We give out clothing vouchers for our thrift store,” said June Stanley, administrative assistant at the Duluth location. "The vouchers are good for two pairs of pants, two shirts, two undergarments, one pair of shoes and one jacket. And people can get up to four vouchers per year.”
Like the Damiano Center, the Duluth Salvation Army serves individuals of all ages.
“On Saturdays from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., college students get a 20 percent off discount in our thrift store,” Stanley said.
Positive ideals are illustrated by organizations like the Damiano Center and the Duluth Salvation Army, as well as volunteers and philanthropists who contribute to them.
For more information or to contact the Damiano Center, call 218-722-8708. To contact the Salvation Army, call 218-722-7934.