NEW YORK—College freshmen picked up recycled linens, blankets, and other dorm essentials in Manhattan on July 28 from a program run by two moms who realized how much can be reused after their children finished college.
Liz Gruber and Tara Smith Tyberg created the Grad Bag organization in 2012. Grad Bag volunteers collect comforters, blankets, sheets, laundry bags, hangers, and other products such as lamps, fans, decorative pillows, storage containers, and mirrors.
In 2012 one school donated items and over 30 students received recycled dorm essentials. In 2019, 16 schools donated benefiting 1,700 students.
The organization has recycled 20,000 pounds of linens since its inception.
The Grad Bag program had to stop for the past two years due to the pandemic. This year, the organization anticipates donations from 11 schools and about 500 students coming to pick products they need for their dorm rooms….