The Viking Exchange was established in 2021 thanks to SJR State employees who recognized students’ needs and wanted to help by donating goods and making those goods easily accessible to students at the College.
Through collaboration between Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and the College’s Foundation, and with the approval of the College’s Executive Management Team, a group of SJR State faculty, staff, and administrators worked together to open 4 Viking Exchange locations at the start of the Spring 2021 semester. The SJR State Foundation provided funds to buy the goods and supplies needed to get the Viking Exchange started. Employees from the Library and Advising gathered what was needed and setup each location so each was open on the first day of classes.
Today, there are three Viking Exchanges: one on each campus in the Library. Students are welcome to stop by the Viking Exchange any time the Library is open.
SJR State made the Viking Exchange the focus of the Vikings Spring into Service 2021 campaign. With COVID-19 limiting the types of projects that could be done, holding a donation drive to benefit the newly established Viking Exchange was a perfect fit. The College’s employees were provided with a wish-list of items needed for the Viking Exchange and from January 11 - 15, donations of food and personal care items were accepted at multiple locations at each campus for distribution at the four Viking Exchange locations. From January through May 2021, over 1,500 food products and personal items were donated to the Viking Exchange and made available to students.
The Viking Exchange relies on donations of non-perishable food, hygiene products, and clothing from SJR State’s employees and students. Donations are collected year-round with the campus libraries serving as drop-off points. More information about the Viking Exchange can be found at learningresources.sjrstate.edu/VikingExchange