Celebrating the small, repetitive actions by everyone and watching them turn into big, sustainable change for everyone.
We're learning how to turn trash into treasure and watching pennies solve problems.
Drop your loose change in the jar in the dining room - every penny goes back into the House Mom fund to get things for the house to make it feel more like home.
Goal: new ping pong table
as of 08/24/2026
Amount In Jar:
$1.54
ALL currencies accepted
In the state of Michigan, you pay 10¢ when you purchase any carbonated beverage, and you get that money back when you return the empty can or bottle.
Dump out all the liquid and put them back in the box, tape it shut when its full, and set by the back door for Eryn to return.
It's a tenfold solution:
less trash bags needed
spend less on janitorial supplies
takes up less space in dumpster
boxes that aren't used for cans should be broken down flat and put in the blue recycling bins
dumpster doesn't fill as fast and/or overflow
trespassers not as likely to make a mess if it doesn't look profitable from a distance
don't have to spend money for someone to clean up trash mess
don't have to call Ann Arbor police non-emergency on people, have to deal with paperwork
basically free money, especially if we're not the ones who purchased the containers we're returning
as of 08/03/2026
Returnables Fund:
$0
Things purchased with the returnables fund over the summer:
box fans
laptop tables for common room
coffee tables
shelving units for upstairs bathrooms
organizers for EC
Drop off your used shoes (in any condition) for recycling in one of the donation bins throughout the house.
# Bags Donated: 1
Money Raised: $0
The more we donate in good condition, the more money we raise.
If you have a suggestion for an addition to this website, email housemom.sigmachi@gmail.com.