Finger Lakes ReUse is holding a three-week Reinforce ReUse Fundraiser from 5/13 – 6/11 to raise $10,000 to help us serve more people this summer with convenient reuse services.
To donate via Check/Money Order, please make them payable to ‘Finger Lakes ReUse’ and mail it to 214 Elmira Rd, Ithaca NY 14850
About the Reinforce ReUse Challenge
More people than ever are choosing to reuse in Tompkins County: for the environmental benefits, to help their fellow neighbors in need, to save on waste fees, and for the convenience of dropping off all their gently used items at one place! Since 2017, ReUse has experienced an average 26% increase each year in the number of donation drop offs we receive.
Our goal this spring is to raise $10,000 in just three weeks to help us serve a projected 16,000 material donors this summer – a record number in our 12 years of operation!
Reuse in action is complex and takes many hands, hearts and minds to successfully enact; in order to receive, identify, sort, value, clean, test, refurbish, and make them available again for sale or for free to households in need. ReUse relies on the support of generous community members to keep this uniquely local service available for all.
Finger Lakes ReUse is a not-for-profit with a mission to enhance community, economy and environment through reuse by offering accessible reuse services in Tompkins County and inspiring reuse to foster in other communities throughout New York State and beyond. Sales of used materials support 70-80% of our operating expenses; we rely on fundraising to support the very best of what we do, including offering 7-day, convenient reuse services, paid job skills training, and living-wage jobs.
Ways You Can Support ReUse:
- Make a gift today of any size and help us reach our goal of $10,000 by June 2nd!
- Volunteer with us – we work with volunteers 7 days a week, and offer evening events on Wednesdays. Sign up here.
- Shop at our ReUse Centers – 100% of your purchases support our mission.
- Share out this campaign to your networks with #reinforcereuse and tag @ithacareuse.
The ReUse Journey: A Team Effort
Check out this behind-the-scenes look at the many hands it takes to process each and every material donation at our ReUse Centers
IMPACTS & BENEFITS
ENVIRONMENT
Estimated tons of waste diverted from the landfill since opening in 2008
EMPLOYMENT
Living-wage jobs created in the community
ECONOMY
households in the region provided with store credit through ReUse Materials Access Program since 2017
EDUCATION
participants have completed our ReSET job training program
Simple actions, major impact
From manufacturing to disposal, every part of a product’s life-cycle leads to greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to climate change. Our ReUse Centers kept 700 tons of materials out of landfills last year—and we’re working hard to expand our capabilities.
Working for a good cause
A living-wage employer with 69 employees and more than 50 regular volunteers, we believe reuse can support meaningful and engaging jobs here in Tompkins County, and nationwide. ReUse creates pathways to careers for local people who have previously experienced barriers to employment.
Low cost, high impact purchases
The ReUse Materials Access Program (ReMAP) gives back locally, connecting households and organizations in need with free materials. Since the program began in 2017, we have provided materials to over 1,008 households! ReUse enhances the economy by providing store credit to community members in financial crises.
Leading the way toward waste-free
ReUse operates ReSET, a free job training program offering two separate tracks—Technology or Retail & Customer Service. ReSET participants can apply for competitive paid apprenticeships to extend their training.
Super ReUser Praise of our ReUse Centers
Thanks for your amazing work in the community and congratulations on your growth and expansion over the last decade. Look forward to resuming in-person support after we’re all vaccinated!!
The ReUse Centers are gems in this community. So glad they exist. The idea of reuse aligns so perfectly with my own values.
Every time I go to reuse, I am inspired to buy something that is on sale and repurpose it for something in my home. I have completed many home improvement projects and craft projects with items I have bought at reuse.
Reuse is so awesome for reducing waste and making use of what we have!
I keep finding the best kids shoes for my growing toddler. It seems like there is always what I am looking for in stock!
Finger Lakes ReUse is holding a three-week Reinforce ReUse Fundraiser from 5/13 – 6/11 to raise $10,000 to help us serve more people this summer with convenient reuse services.