A thrift shop on wheels provides individuals a chance to donate to a great cause while shopping on a bright red double-decker bus.

The Red Bus Project arrived at the Newman Catholic Student Center on Tuesday morning, providing residents, students and faculty an opportunity to buy and donate clothing, shoes and accessories. The organization was created to spread awareness about the needs of orphans around the world and raises more than $45,000 annually.

The project experienced a minor hurdle when the bus was not allowed to park on campus. Tim Taylor, director of the Newman Center, said it was not allowed because of limited space.

“One of our members brought the idea to one of our monthly meetings, and we went from there to arrange for them to come,” he said. “We asked if there would be any spots on campus so the bus can be centrally located, and we were told that there just wasn’t space, due to policy.”

Taylor said despite location issues, the employees and interns prevailed at the Newman Center. Using social media and interns, word about the Red Bus Project circulated around campus with posters, fliers and signs informing people where to go, he said.

Kyndell Dempsey, an employee with the Red Bus Project, said the location was not much of an issue.

“Luckily, the bus does draw attention, but we were also allowed to send people to campus with iPads to explain who we are and where to go if they are interested,” she said.

Dempsey said the organization incorporates social media to spread awareness about the bus to college campuses.

“On Twitter, we use a hashtag called “#Every18Seconds” because statistics show that every 18 seconds, another child becomes an orphan,” she said. “On the campuses we visit, we have a timer to demonstrate this. So if we are on a campus for six hours, about 1,200 are orphaned.”

Dempsey said many believe orphan care is a problem for adults or families, however, the Red Bus Project aims to dismantle that myth.

“College students can do something,” she said. “Whether it’s bringing clothes in to us, or volunteering at a local foster care, you can mobilize to do something to make a difference.”

The bus is separated into two levels, with the items for sale separated by gender on each level. The downstairs is for females, and the upstairs is for males. Patrons can also browse the dollar bins, and pay for items using cash, credit or debit in a tent nearby.

Joy Jones, a junior from Elgin studying architecture said she was excited to partake in the Red Bus Project experience.

“This project was so great!” she said. “I feel great that I participated in such a great cause and can’t wait until the bus comes back again.”

Dempsey said the Red Bus Project is a student department of Show Hope, an organization that gives grants to families who want to adopt children.

“On the bus, we have pictures of families that have adopted children with the help of Show Hope, so we are raising awareness for that as well,” she said.

The Red Bus Project originated in Franklin, Tenn. and travels two times a year for six weeks to various college campuses across the U.S. This is their fourth year touring.

This is the first year the project visited SIU. Dempsey said students who missed the opportunity to donate Tuesday could still help.

“If students who missed the bus want to get involved with donating, we leave clothes bins on campuses for them to drop off their clothes, shoes and accessories,” Dempsey said.

For more information on the Red Bus Project, visit their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages @redbusproject.

Kia Smith can be reached at [email protected]