ECU students urged to donate to Pirates Treasure

GREENVILLE, N.C.  —   One person’s trash can become another person’s Pirates Treasure thanks to a program organized by East Carolina University and the City of Greenville. 

The Pirates Treasure program, which started in December 2008, aims to curb the amount of waste left in campus neighborhoods or sent to landfills by departing ECU students. 

Volunteers help out at the first Pirates Treasure event in December 2008. Photo by Cliff Hollis.

Instead of trashing reusable items, students are encouraged to drop-off their unwanted household goods, including furniture, kitchen appliances, clothing, nonperishable foods, lamps and more, at the Pirates Treasure donation site. From there, non-profit organizations and social services groups will distribute items to local families in need.

This year, donations will be collected from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on ECU’s reading days, April 28 and 29. Items should be taken to the central drop-off point, the Willis Building at the corner of First and Reade Streets in Greenville.  

“This event is a great opportunity for students and community members to assist with the beautification of our city while helping those who need it,” said Lucia Brannon, coordinator for ECU Off-Campus Student Services. 

Donations will be accepted by Pitt County Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. 
 
The program is sponsored by the City of Greenville and ECU Off-Campus Student Services in collaboration with the ECU Police, Student Government Association, Greek Life, Volunteer Services, Student Legal Services, Academic Services and Dean of Students. 

For more information, visit www.ecu.edu/studentlife/offcampus.