Recently, a guest at Noon Run – the soup and sandwich distribution that takes place every day at noon on 19th Street between Clybourn and Wisconsin avenues – told an interesting story.

He said that last May after Marquette students had left campus for the summer, he was Dumpster-diving at Marquette and found a functional Dell laptop equipped with a case and cord.

Not knowing the password, he was unable to access the computer's many features; but even so, the fact that he found a working computer in the dumpster left me in disbelief.

How could someone, specifically a Marquette student, throw away a working computer? Even throwing away a broken computer seems ridiculous because old computer parts can be used or sold. I'm not judging people who may have pitched their computers, but I am asking that you do something different.

Instead of tossing your unwanted, usable items in the garbage, please donate them!

University Ministry, Midnight Run and the St. Vincent de Paul Society are giving you an opportunity to donate your stuff as you move out.

Donation Days will take any reusable clothing, furniture, housewares or non-perishable food.

This donation drive runs from May 10 to May 12 at the Campus Town West Practice Space between 17th and Wells streets.

Please drop off your items on Thursday and Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Also, on Saturday you can call (414) 839-8966 for curbside pickup of heavy items.

Sincerely consider this option and forget using the Dumpsters for things of value.

Like they say, one person's trash is another person's treasure – especially when that trash is something like a computer.

Mueller is a freshman in the College of Health Sciences and Hagerty is a freshman in the College of Arts & Sciences.