Polytechnic helps students on budgets

By Lethbridge Herald on October 11, 2024.

Herald photo by Alexandra Noad A student looks through the items available at the Lethbridge Polytechnic Thrift and Thrive event.

Alexandra Noad
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Students at Lethbridge Polytechnic had the opportunity to thrift for free at its Thrift and Thrive which took place this week.

This was the student’s associations third time hosting this event to help its students who are on tight budgets find clothing and household items they might need to make their home away from home more comfortable.

Sharon Boit, vice-president of student life for the Lethbridge Polytechnic Student Association (LPSA), says the project started to help students, many who are coming to Canada from other countries, get the items they need for the cold winters here.

“It started as a small project where we wanted to help students who are in need, who can’t afford to by jackets, the socks or just basically the basic needs that you need to start off life in a new country,” said Boit.

It wasn’t just international students benefiting from the event. All students were welcome to browse the event.

The event was another resounding success thanks to many contributors from the community who dropped off donations since April.

Boit says the project was a lot of work to put together with many hours being spent over the summer to organize things, but watching the students walk out with smiles on their faces it was well worth the effort.

“It’s amazing to see students having found something that they don’t have to spend money on that they really need. That’s the joy you get from there. In the hallways, people being all happy, the smile on their faces is all that matters,” said Boit.

The LPSA plans on hosting another Thrift and Thrive event and encourages donations of all kinds to help students in need.

“Please feel free to come and donate and you can save lots of student’s money,” said Boit.

Donations for the next Thrift and Thrive event can be dropped off the LPSA office located near the front doors of the polytechnic.