Zero Dollar Store

The Zero Dollar Store is a Free Store for dorm supplies available to students throughout the academic year, and a reuse collection program during campus move-outs.

Location

Located on the first floor of the Anderson Freeman Center, the store provides access to dorm supplies and small room furnishings at no cost.

The store operates with a focus in supporting Middlebury undergraduates for whom the cost of such supplies or transport is a barrier. Our aim is to help supplement the student experience by diminishing dorming costs and reducing waste by fostering cyclical reuse and mutual aid practices.

The Zero Dollar Store explores popular education of resource-sharing and cooperative regeneration of resources that address people’s needs.

Hours and Appointments

This fall and spring, the Zero Dollar Store will be open during Arrival Week. Additionally, we will be open throughout the academic year on Wednesdays from 3–5 p.m. All students will need to sign up for a time slot.

Please reach out to Steve Zatarain at szatarain@middlebury.edu for a slot. Please knock on the Zero Dollar Store door when you arrive.

Education

Mutual Aid Workshops

The AFC will be hosting an introductory workshop to Mutual Aid in the fall and spring. The workshop will explore a brief overview of mutual aid networks, their role in addressing community needs, and practice criticality in examining helping support systems. If you are interested in your group engaging with a workshop on this outside of the scheduled dates, please contact szatarain@middlebury to explore opportunities.

Relief Printing

Relief printing has a rich history in the Middle East, Central America, and South America as an accessible tool to copy over important messages for the public. Come engage in relief printing. Carve some prints, utilize stamps from our collection, or make a gel-mono print. Breathe new life into old clothes by printing fun designs on them or make a poster or print that highlights a community issue or area of passion. If you or your group is interested in a workshop, email szatarain@middlebury.edu at least one week prior, providing information on the number of participants and what you might be interested in doing.

Where to Donate

Collection will primarily occur during move-out periods:

Early August to Mid-August for Language Schools Move Out
Mid-January to end of January for Feb Move Out
MId-May to end of May for Spring Move Out

Bins with a Zero Dollar Store flyer will be made available in fron of Ross Dining, Allen Hall, Outside of Atwater Suites Laundry Room, and Forest Laundry Room.

During periods for collection, there will be donation Bins in the Anderson Freeman Center’s Lounge as well.

If you would like to donate outside of collection dates, please send an email szatarain@middlebury.edu to coordinate dates and times for collection.

What to Donate

The items listed below are the only items we are able to collect through the collection process:

School Supplies (binders, unused notebooks, paper, index cards, staplers and whole punches, scissors, pens and markers, etc.)
Hangers
Kettles
Water filters
Small electronics (excluding large appliances and monitors)
Lamps (must have light bulb)
Fans
Mirrors
Personal Waste Bins
Hampers
Shower caddies
Decorations
Small furniture
Small rugs
Small Underbed Storage Bins
Nonperishable Foods
Unused personal hygiene items

Items that should not be donated include:

Mini-Fridges
Perishable food
Kitchen Supplies
Partially used shampoo, conditioner, lotions, etc.
Sheets, comforters, or bedding
Pillows
Heavily used or damaged and broken items

When deciding whether an item can be donated, be practical and respectful!

Do not donate items that are unhygienic or contain any personal identification.

Please place all items in bins in the correct designated area.