Today@Sam Article

Here To Help: Tripod's Thrift Shop

Sept. 15, 2021
SHSU Media Contact: Wes Hamilton

"Here to Help" highlights the many student services available at SHSU. Often these services are provided at little or no cost with a Bearkat OneCard. If your department would like to be featured email today@shsu.edu.

Story by Mikah Boyd

Attending college can be a challenge on many different fronts, from time management to financial stability. When trying to manage it all, it is easy for certain things to slip off students’ radars, which is where the various services here at SHSU step in. One such service is the newly opened Tripod Thrift Shop, located at 1619 Sam Houston Avenue, right next to Subway.

Here students can come pick up clothing and necessities from 1-5 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays or 3-6 p.m. on Tuesdays. All they have to do is swipe their Bearkat OneCard upon entry.

The shop opened right at the start of the fall 2021 semester after a year of careful planning and preparation. The Tripod Thrift Shop not only provides clothing for students, but essentials such as personal hygiene and household items. All these items are free thanks to generous donations from people around the university and beyond. Michele Mitchell, the director for auxiliary operations, explained that the idea behind the thrift was to ensure students have essential necessities.

“The first reason for really investigating how to do this was to help fill the gap of financial insecurities that maybe were not covered by other services and programs,” Mitchell said. “So that was our goal initially, to help fill some gaps for students.

To ensure that everyone gets what they need, visits are limited to twice per month and there is a limit of four articles of clothing per visit. Limits on other items such as laundry detergent and shampoo are posted on their respective shelves.

Another feature of the thrift store is the Reba Bock Career Closet. Originally housed in the Career Services Office, the career closet provides business attire for students preparing for professional interviews and entering the workforce. Students can visit the career closet one time each semester to pick out two outfits free of charge.

According to Mitchell, the two services combined their efforts to reach more students. While the career closet focuses more on students as they prepare to leave the university, the thrift store is here to help throughout their college careers.

“Overall, the mission is assistance to students when they need it,” Mitchell said.

They can fulfill this mission thanks to the efforts of student workers, donors and the Tripod Thrift student organization. This group has come together for the purpose of making the thrift shop a success by donating their time and services to help with fundraising and operations.

While the grand opening event for the shop is still to be announced, students may begin visiting the shop whenever the need arises. Donations of various items are currently accepted and appreciated. To find the list of accepted items, potential donors can visit their website or reach out to tripodsthrift@shsu.edu.  

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