According to the Pilots Pantry website, 53% of students during the 2023-2026 school year(s) faced insecurities regarding their food, housing, or homelessness in general. These numbers and the concept of "enclothed cognition" are the reason why Ms. Dede with LSUS Student Affairs started “Restyle U: Thrift Pop-Up.” Enclothed cognition, according to the National Library of Medicine, is the psychological effect that comes because of the symbolic meaning we attach to what we wear and the physical act of putting those clothes on. The pop-up will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the third floor of the Noel Memorial Library with hopes to help reduce the stigma students might feel when they can't afford new school clothes. That’s why last Friday, LEDA- an uprising women’s club at LSUS- along with LSUS Student Affairs, hosted “Cupcakes for Clothes” on campus by asking for either bags of donation-ready clothing items or purchasing a bakery item, with all money going toward buying clothing items to support the “Restyle U: Thrift Pop-Up”.

LEDA accepted both clothing and money donations; in the end, LEDA raised $140, which went into purchasing thrifted items to donate, along with six bags of clothes donated by students. Staff, faculty, and students can still bring donations to Ms. Dede in room 142 of the Dean of Students Office in the Noel Memorial Library. The thrift pop-up is free, so anyone is welcome to come and pick “new-to-me” clothing to give their fall semester a fresh start! 
If any student, faculty, or staff is facing a struggle, Student Advocacy encourages everyone to reach out to several resources around campus, such as: LSUS Food Pantry, Food Services, Single Stop, Pilot’s Pointe, Disability Services, Handshake, Financial Aid Offices, LSUS Counseling Services, LSUS Recreational Sports, and Active Minds. Anyone may also reach out to Student Advocacy by contacting (318)-795-2402.