Students may have found themselves simply walking past the Lost and Found Sales held in the East Atrium every few weeks. However, according to other students, they are missing out on some of the best, affordable items that Marlborough has to offer.
“I bought a skirt there [the Lost and Found Sale] for $2-3 which I found to be a great price,” said Sophia Baas-Maynard ‘27.
At the Lost and Found Sales, there is an array of items available for students, parents and faculty members to purchase. From Marlborough apparel and uniform skirts, to lunch boxes and containers, to tote bags and even swim towels, they have everything. However, the most popular items sold by far are the water bottles.
All water bottles, regardless of size or brand, are sold for $1, which is a huge price decrease to the high-end new water bottles that can be seen being carried around by Marlborough students. For example, a typical 40-ounce Stanley cup is sold for $45.00 on their website. However, at Marlborough, they can be purchased for a 98% discount.
In addition, these sales are a helpful way for students to find their own items that they may have misplaced on campus. When students find their personal belongings in the sale, they can tell the person in charge and, after writing the honor code, get it back with no additional cost.
The sales also contribute to reducing the amount of clothing waste by donating to charity. The remaining items at the sale that do not have Marlborough logos are donated to local charities. Students report positive feedback on this. “Yes, I think they are very good for the community. Recycling is better for the environment,” said Ella Lee ‘27.
Purchasing clothes from the Lost and Found Sales is a great way to lower waste, as thrifting used uniforms and apparel can help reduce your carbon footprint and make sustainable choices.
The Lost and Found Sales have received positive feedback from not only students, but adults as well. Sue Epstein, a Marlborough parent of alumna Danielle Epstein ‘09, has been volunteering to help out with the sales since her daughter was in seventh grade. She feels that this is a way to connect with the Marlborough community and maintain her ties with the school.
“I like volunteering at the Lost and Found Sales because I enjoy being able to visit campus after my daughter has graduated,” Epstein said.
One noted downside of the sales is the ability to lose an item that may have previously belonged to another student. However, an easy way to prevent this issue from happening is to write your name on all of your belongings. According to Epstein, volunteers with the sales do not put up students’ lost items with names for sale until the very end of the year, in order to give students time to find their missing item.
As the Lost and Found sales continue to occur throughout the year, students should consider stopping by, especially in the morning to ensure their favorite items are not sold out. They may find themselves pleasantly surprised as several students were when going for the first time. “Yes, they are a million times worth it,” Lee said.
