As the academic year comes to an end and students are moving away for the summer, Northwest Missouri State University and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nodaway County are partnering again to encourage students to “think green” before trashing belongings during the annual Big Green Move Out.

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Nodaway County annually sponsors the initiative, in collaboration with Northwest and Bearcats Going Green, a student organization for students interested in recycling and sustainability initiatives.

The Big Green Move Out invites students to donate clothing, non-perishable foods and household items. BBBS will have a trailer located in Parking Lot 20 behind Valk Center. Collection bins will be available in the Residence Halls as well as at the following Maryville locations: North Dollar General, Sutherlands, Hy-Vee, Walmart and the BBBS office at 2112 S. Main St.

Acceptable items include clothes, shoes, clothing accessories, bedding, books, purses, wallets, games, movies, CDs and household items such as lamps, decorations, dishes, mini-fridges, microwaves and utensils. A complete list of acceptable items is provided below.

Cardboard, paper, plastic, aluminum, steel, tin and glass materials may be discarded in the recycling bins at Northwest’s Recycling Center, located west of the Northwest campus on Country Club Road. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Non-perishable food items may be donated at collections bins in Northwest residence halls or at the BBBS trailer in Lot 20. Donors should separate food from other items and use the appropriate bins. Donations may also be made directly to the Bearcat Food Pantry or local food banks such as the Ministry Center at 971 S. Main St. in Maryville. 

Acceptable clothing, food items, and household items

• Men’s, women’s and children’s clothing
• Shoes, coats, hats, gloves
• Jewelry, purses, wallets, fanny packs, bags
• Bath towels, sheets, blankets, pillows
• Curtains
• Canned foods
• Dry packaged foods
• CDs, DVDs, records
• Stereos, CD/DVD players, speakers
• Toys, games, puzzles, stuffed animals
• Crafts, candles, baskets, pictures, frames, ornaments
• Pots, pans, kitchen utensils, dishes
• Lamps
• Humidifiers
• Sports and exercise equipment, bicycles
• Appliances: Mini-fridges, microwaves, and other small appliances