Thrifty move-in event helps UC students find affordable essentials

Local 12 journalist speaks with event organizers from CECH and Lindner

For students needing affordable essentials Thrifty Move-In 2025 offered valuable support. It was a chance for students to obtain second hand furniture, appliances, kitchen utensils and other household items for free.

The collaborative event held Saturday, Aug. 23, was spearheaded by the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services but also included support from several UC partners including the Center for Student Engagement, Bearcats Welcome, UC International, RED, the Office of Sustainability, Lindner College of Business, CECH IMPACT and the Graduate College.  

Community partners Keep Cincy Beautiful, Ikea and DiBella’s also participated.

Local 12 journalist Chloe Marklay interviewed CECH organizers Stacey Jenkins and Brandilyn Pham along with Dean Marianne Lewis of the Lindner College of Business for morning segments featuring Thrifty Move-In 2025. The event was held in Lindner’s atrium.

CECH organizers Brandilyn Pham and Stacey Jenkins are shown with Linder Dean Marianne Lewis enjoying a light moment with Local 12's Chloe Marklay

CECH organizers Brandilyn Pham and Stacey Jenkins are shown with Linder Dean Marianne Lewis enjoying a light moment with Local 12's Chloe Marklay. Photo provided.

“This event is open to all our students . . . and so we are really serving our entire campus,” Pham told Local 12. “Our volunteers today come from all across campus. They are students, faculty, staff, administration and we are so excited for the people who have shown up for Thrifty Move-In.”

About 500 students were served by the event which featured 3,500 items. The event helped promote sustainability while aiding students with useful household items that were donated by members of the community.

“It’s free for all students and we wanted to make sure it was accessible for everyone,” Pham, a graduate student, told Local 12.

View the Local 12 story online.

Learn more about the genesis of Thrifty-Move In online.

Featured top image of Thrifty-Move In 2025 event in the atrium of the Lindner College of Business. Photo provided.

Four volunteers are shown standing near table with piles of bed linen at the Thrifty Move-In event

Volunteers helped make the Thrifty Move-In 2025 event successful. Photo provided.

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