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Sponsored by: Ruth’s Reusable Resources
Updated: September 23, 2019 2019 Giving Guide

Ruth’s Reusable Resources

2020 Goals

We are working on a $2.5 million fundraising campaign, which would allow us to accomplish the following goals:

  • Update and expand our current space to ensure easy and safe access for all visitors and increase energy efficiency.
  • Establish a Mobile Unit that will allow us to bring the Teacher Store to schools located two or more hours away from Portland, especially in Northern Maine;
  • Increase our staff capacity and raise community awareness of our programs in order sustain ourselves and to expand the services we offer to meet the ever growing need for supplies; and
  • Move the 4 Public Store off site in order to expand it, increase the number of items stocked and use the additional revenue to help cover operating expenses for it and the Teacher Store.

Fundraising events/Opportunities

On Friday, December 6 we are celebrating our 25th Anniversary with a 1950s themed Sock Hop and auction at the Portland Country Club. Join us for an evening of vintage fun and old school dancing. (Tickets will be available beginning in October.)

Please contact Ruth or Lisa at (207) 699-5565 or office3rs@gmail.com if you or your business is interested in:

  • Sponsoring the event or donating an item for our auction
  • Helping set-up, decorate or clean-up on the day of the event
  • Helping prepare for or conduct the live or silent auction

Giving Opportunities

  • Backpack Program: Financial contributions allow us to purchase supplies in bulk, ensuring each backpack contains identical supplies. New backpacks and school supplies are accepted all year.
  • Shipping Costs: Help cover the costs of transporting new office and school supplies from donors around the country to our warehouse. Shipments vary in cost from $1,000 - $3,500 per semi-truck load.
  • In Kind donations needed include:
  • 26’ box truck
  • electrician services
  • repair exterior cement stairs
  • shrink wrap machine
  • scissor lift
  • inventory control system
  • Sponsor a School’s Membership: Teachers from member schools can obtain classroom supplies from 3Rs’ Teacher Store at no cost to the individual teacher.
  • Unrestricted financial contributions allow us the flexibility to apply resources where they are needed most.

Volunteer Opportunities

We welcome individuals (16 years and older) and groups (from 2 to 50) to help out for a few hours or on a continual basis. Please contact us at (207) 699-5565 or office3rs@gmail.com to set up a time to come in and help out.

Specific volunteer opportunities include:

  • Volunteer coordinator to help us manage large groups
  • Warehouse – sorting and putting away donations, organizing shelves, taking items apart to be repurposed or recycled
  • Teacher Store – stocking shelves, light cleaning and tidying up
  • Marketing and development support
  • Holding a supply drive or hosting a fundraising event helps keep shelves stocked all year and the heat on ALL winter, while spreading awareness of 3Rs and letting people know what we do and how it benefits education and the environment.

Leadership

Ruth Libby: Founder & Executive Director
Cindy Paine: Board Chair; Retired Paralegal, Perkins Thompson

Board officers

Joanne “Jody” Duran: Board Vice Chair; Paralegal, Pierce Atwood LLP

Gia Bartolomeo: Board Treasurer; Consultant, Beeline BPO

Azaria Galli: Board Secretary; Vice President Business Banking, People’s United Bank

Board Members

Katrina Bussiere-Venhuizen: Environmental Educator, ecomaine

Robin Day: Retired, Assistant Dean for Finance & Administration, College of Education & Human Dev., University of Southern Maine

Wayne Steele: Sr. Manager, Fulfillment Planning & Scheduling, L.L. Bean

Guyla Woodbrey: Educator, Saccarappa School

At a glance

Established: 1994
Employees: 10 total (2 FT; 8 PT)
Annual revenue: $315,906

Top funding sources

Membership Fees: 61%
Computer Re-Life Program: 16%
Donations & Grants: 9%
4 Public Store: 7%
Program Income: 6%
Interest & Misc: 1%

Contact

39 Blueberry Rd.
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 699-5565

www.ruths.org
www.instagram.com/ruthsreusables

Awards/Accolades

2017 Eagle Rare Life awarded to Ruth Libby for her work at 3Rs

2017 Senator Angus King recognized 3Rs in the U.S. Congressional Record

2018 ecomaine eco-excellence awards for Nonprofit Leadership (3Rs) and Community Leadership (Tom & Ruth Libby)

2018 WCSH 6 Agency of Distinction

2019 Portland Press Herald Source Sustainability Award - The Reutilizer

Mission Statement

Our mission is to ensure that all students, from pre-k through high school, have the basic supplies and creative tools for literacy, STEAM, and health education through the environmentally-conscious distribution of donated business and school supplies.

Service Locations

All counties in Maine and parts of NH