SUMMER HOURS
Recraft Store:
Tuesday-Thursday
12:00pm-5:00pm
Saturday
9:00am-2:00pm
Teacher Store- CLOSED
A Free Resource Hub for Teachers: Transforming Surplus Supplies into Valuable Tools for Our Schools
Our Story
3Rs has proudly served the schools and teachers of Maine for over 30 years. Founder, Ruth Libby, started 3Rs in the basement of her home in Scarborough, quickly moving to Bessey School, and eventually growing into a 27,000-square-foot warehouse in Portland. Every day during the school year, countless children in Maine attend school without essential supplies like pencils and paper, while local businesses dispose of these very items. 3Rs expertly bridges this gap by redistributing unwanted supplies to students and their teachers, making a real difference in their lives.
Since our founding in 1994, we have proudly donated over $110 million worth of surplus furniture, paper, books, office supplies, and computers to schools and non-profits. Our efforts not only support education but also contribute positively to the environment and the community. Together, we are creating a brighter future for kids, fostering learning, and promoting environmental sustainability.
Join us in making a meaningful impact!
The Environmental Impact
Our primary mission is helping teachers and students, but our secondary mission is helping the environment by keeping usable materials out of the waste stream and recycling what cannot be used to the greatest extent possible.
We recycle 80% of the unusable materials we receive. The remaining 20% is taken to ecomaine where it is incinerated in their waste to energy plant.
Since 2007 we have recycled over:
260 tons of paper
177 tons of cardboard
45 tons of scrap metal
Meet Our Staff and Volunteers!
Board of Directors
Carla Barron
Retired Special Educator & Board Member, Ruth’s Reusable Resources
As a retired special educator, Carla had the privilege of teaching at Governor Baxter School for the Deaf and Old Orchard Beach High School. Over the years, she has relied on 3Rs to source materials and gather ideas to support students’ learning. She began volunteering with 3Rs when it was still located at Bessy School, and has been a dedicated volunteer ever since.
During her time as a teacher, Carla found the sorting, organizing, and counting of donated materials to be not only productive but also incredibly meditative after a busy day in the classroom. Now, in retirement, that sense of fulfillment remains unchanged. Her role as Board member allows her to help expand the reach of this remarkable organization and explore new ways to involve the community.
Brenda Harrison
Owner, Brenda Harrison Bookkeeping Services
Brenda has been a dedicated supporter of 3Rs' mission since its early days. She first met Ruth at Beech Ridge Speedway in 1996, where their mutual passion for community and connection sparked a lasting friendship. Brenda began assisting Ruth with bookkeeping, helping to lay the financial foundation for what would become Ruth's Reusable Resources.
Over the years, Brenda continued to champion Ruth's vision, maintaining their strong relationship and staying deeply involved as the organization grew. Now serving as a board member, Brenda remains committed to advancing educational equity across Maine by providing essential resources to students and teachers. Her enduring dedication is a testament to the powerful friendships and shared values that drive the success of Ruth's Reusable Resources.
Casey brings her extensive experience in event planning, organization, and development to the board. Deeply committed to 3Rs, Casey believes that every student deserves an equal opportunity to succeed in school and that access to essential supplies should never be a barrier to their success. She values the dedication of teachers in every aspect of their profession, and is passionate about supporting educators in meaningful ways. Casey wholeheartedly believes in 3Rs' mission and is honored to contribute to making a difference in students' and teachers' lives.
Katrina Venhuizen
Friends of Casco Bay
Bio Coming Soon!
Do you have a skill that could be beneficial to 3Rs and are interested
in joining the board of directors? Contact: director@ruths.org