Ruth's Reusable Resources is a great nonprofit organization that is an incredible resource for teachers. Ruth's Reusable Resources gathers donations of supplies from various businesses that can be used within classrooms, and teachers to can get supplies for free. These supplies range from pencils, pens, paper, stickers, erasers, and other odd items that can be used for a variety of projects. I normally come to Ruth's at the beginning of the year, or when I need to stock up on miscellaneous materials throughout the year. It definitely helps when you are planning a large project for students and you are in need of items for students to utilize, instead of spending a ton of your own money to support these projects. The process at Ruth's Reusables is pretty rigid. You can't bring a friend, baby, spouse...you can only bring yourself, and Ruth will be the first person to let you know. As you are scanning the materials, there is a very set way of recording the materials you are taking on a clipboard, which they thoroughly check when you are checking out. This process can definitely take a long time, so plan on being at Ruth's for at least an hour, at the very least. I appreciate the organization that Ruth has established, as she used to be a teacher herself and she knows the cost demands that go along with the profession, and I will continue to go here when I am in need of classroom supplies! read more

Ruth's Reusable Resources - Portland, Maine

What is Ruth's Reusables you may be asking yourself? Well, let me tell you... 3Rs is a nonprofit that receives donations from companies big and small in the form of supplies that could be reused by educators. Supplies could be anything from pieces of felt to desks and chairs. Anything that a company can donate, for a tax write off, ends up here. School districts and other non profits will pay for a membership, for the year, and their staff can "shop" here as often as they would like. I normally end up here when my class is running low on supplies, like markers or pencils. I also will go if we have some sort of art related project in the works that involves using tiny objects creatively. They have bins of the weirdest bits and pieces! As a teacher, this place is a goldmine. My parents, who were both teachers back in the day, used to spend insane amounts of their own money on the supplies I get for free here. Ruth is an interesting person. A Mainer for sure. She is tough, unapologetic, and hard working. I also wouldn't want to cross paths with her. The checkout process is strict and slow, as I'm sure it has to be to run such a tight ship. There is no "speeding" through 3Rs and I wish this could be remedied somehow. But I'm not complaining, it's just the one thing I wish were different! read more

Ruth's Reusable Resources - The entrance looks like nothing but inside is magic - Portland, Maine