As students packed up their rooms in May, the usual end‑of‑semester rush took on new meaning through the newly launched “Give and Go! Donation Drive.” Instead of throwing items away, students carried gently used clothing and household goods to be collected and donated to St. Vincent de Paul Green Bay, turning move‑out into an act of service.

This new partnership with St. Vincent de Paul connects campus life to a broader mission. Donations don’t just fill thrift store shelves, they generate funds that go directly back into the community, helping people that face difficult challenges. Each item becomes part of a larger ripple effect, creating hope and stability for those in need.

“St. Vincent de Paul relies on the community for merchandise donations that are sold in our thrift stores, and these funds are invested right here in our community to help those in need. Anytime we can partner with the next generation and help build a culture of service and compassion, it’s a blessing.”

Bill Gosse, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul Green Bay

At St. Vincent de Paul, volunteers, known as Vincentians, meet people where they are, in homes, shelters, cars or outdoors, continuing a mission that began in 1833. They connect individuals with resources, offering support, problem-solving, prayer and hope. For many, that first visit is just the beginning of a path toward stability.

“We are grateful that St. Vincent De Paul reached out to the Sturzl Center and SNC’s office of residential education and housing to partner with us for our ‘Give and Go’ drive,” said Andrew O’Connor, director of the Sturzl Center for Community Service and Learning. “We provided students a space and convenient way to donate clothes and household items during move-out, turning the end of the semester into an opportunity to support the local community as an expression of stabilitas loci (the Norbertine commitment to meet the needs of local communities). This was our first year collaborating, but we received even more donations from students than we expected. We hope to make the event even larger.”

In the end, the drive showed that even in the busiest moments of leaving campus, it’s possible to give forward and make a lasting impact beyond SNC. As the partnership grows, both SNC and St. Vincent de Paul look forward to building on this momentum.

Learn about service opportunities at St. Vincent de Paul Green Bay.