By Gabriela Flores
For some Brooklyn College students, finding their next meal, getting clothing, or acquiring other basic necessities could get caught in the middle of classes and other responsibilities. To lend a hand, the New York Public Interest Research Group chapter at Brooklyn College has set up a walk-in store. Decked with free goods, ranging from shoes to fentanyl tests, the NYPIRG office housed in Ingersoll Hall 1433 has become a support line for many students on campus.
“I thought it would be a great resource to the community to have something where instead of throwing things in the trash we could upcycle them,” said NYPIRG intern and BC student Dylan Tyler, who pitched the idea of the store to the organization.
After visiting Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, Tyler saw the free store students had created for their peers who were mostly from abroad. Before officially becoming an intern at NYPIRG, he shared the possibility of creating a similar opportunity for Brooklyn College. What was planned as a one-time pop-up has since become a budding staple for the chapter’s office. Seven months later, they are hoping to expand their space for the store’s longevity and offerings of more resources.
“Everyone’s very committed to making this happen. And I’ve only had a good time trying to get this together,” said Tyler. “Communication has been excellent, and everyone’s very dedicated to trying to give the Brooklyn College community a place where they can have access to these things.”
Right at the entrance of the Ingersoll office, students are met with a clothing rack full of clothes, boots and shoes underneath, as well as a table filled with condoms, deodorants, tampons, pads, non-perishable goods, and other items. NYPIRG also offers fentanyl strips donated by Matters Network Services and Narcan nasal sprays provided by NEXT Distro that can help treat narcotic overdoses in emergencies. All these necessities are readily available for BC students to pick up and keep free of charge. With the help of collaborators, including the Women’s Center and SabCat, a hub filled with free books in James Hall, NYPIRG hopes to continue helping students in the long run.
“Right now, I have donations that I’ve gotta keep on the back-burner because we just don’t have this space. We’re really operating just out of that office. But in the future, we’d also like to offer books and start a textbook exchange,” said Tyler.
As NYPIRG works with the Undergraduate Student Government to expand the physical space of their store, members are also planning harm reduction training and other events that could provide supplementary aid for BC students. For Tyler, he hopes the momentum of the store he founded alongside his peers could continue. In the meantime, the organization is actively accepting donations and handing them out. Donors can leave their donations at NYPIRG’s office.
“So if people were willing to come by and drop something or leave it outside the door, if we’re not there, then absolutely. We’re always open for donations and happy to receive them,” said Tyler.