As a Sport and Recreation Management major, my semester abroad in Rome was an incredible opportunity to present my love for sports with a meaningful project that was focused on sustainability. When I became the recipient of a Temple Education Abroad Global Green Grant for my time abroad, the project I chose was to collect athletic clothing and goods that were not being used and donate them to people who truly need them. This project not only helps with sustainability and community but also highlights the importance of sports in Italy’s beautiful culture.
Collecting and donating unwanted clothes is not only a great way to support those in need but also a significant step towards promoting sustainability. By collecting clothes that would most likely end up in landfills and giving them new life through donation, we contribute to reducing waste and conserving resources. Reusing and repurposing clothing also helps lessen the environmental impact of textile production, which involves high energy use and the release of harmful pollutants. This effort towards sustainability benefits both those in need and the environment, creating a more environmentally conscious and responsible society.
I started off at Porta Portese which is one of the biggest flea markets in Italy and is over a mile long. Located in Trastevere, you can find everything here from antique cameras, to clothing, food, and office supplies. I started by buying some clothing from the vendors and would tell them about my project. Thankfully, a lot of the people I talked to ended up donating and wishing me luck. One vendor, Muhammad, told me, “I lived in a poor area growing up, and we did not have the resources to get clothes every year or even clean our community”. Muhammad also told me that the majority of clothes that are not sold at Porta Portese within a few months end up being thrown away and going to a landfill. When I heard this, I knew I was on the right path, and it motivated me to want to do even more.
After I collected around 60 items, my Global Sport Management professor, Francesco Castiglione, helped me by finding a reputable non-profit organization that we could donate to. The organization we landed on was Associazione KIM. KIM is a non-profit that helps sick children worldwide get resources and housing that they would not otherwise have access to in their home country. KIM was founded in 1997 by a small group of friends who wanted to make a difference. Professor Castiglione, me, and the rest of my Global Sport Management class were able to meet with the people who ran KIM. They gave us a tour of their housing facility and told us what the future of their organization looks like. The facility was a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be; they have a housing center, an arts and crafts building, a playground, and the main building that has a kitchen and office area. They have 70 active volunteers and receive around $400,000 worth of resources each year, which may sound like a lot but is not much compared to other major non-profit organizations.
When it comes to donating clothes you no longer wear, whether in Italy or in your home country, it is important to prioritize the impact of how you are donating. Rather than donating to thrift shops, where clothes are often sold at a high price, or the ubiquitous donation bins that can result in water damage and ultimately end up in landfills, directing donations to reputable non-profit organizations is key. Organizations like the Salvation Army or Planet Aid are known for their commitment to supporting communities in need and ensuring that donated items will be given directly to people in need. Another good option is going to your local community non-profit organization. For Temple Main Campus students, the best places to donate clothes in Philadelphia are Broad Street Ministry and Habitat for Humanity. Help spread the word too! The more people that know about the best places to donate, the bigger impact we make.
When I reflect on this project, one of the main things I will remember is the support I got from Temple Rome and the Temple community as a whole. Everyone that I talked to about the project wanted to help or give me advice. What began as a modest project to collect and donate clothes evolved into an impactful project that surpassed my expectations. The involvement of Professor Castiglione, my classmates, roommates, family, and Associazione KIM transformed my Global Green Grant project into a collaborative effort. It has inspired me to raise awareness about the importance of donating and its connection to sustainability.
I suggest that everyone who reads this research local non-profit organizations in your own community that will take your unwanted goods and clothing, as well as researching ways to donate to KIM specifically.
Zeke Cartwright was a Spring 2024 Global Green Grant recipient. Learn more about Temple Education Abroad’s sustainability efforts and the Global Green Grant.