Before this January, my knowledge of the Finger Lakes ReUse (FLR) organization was limited to its thrift shops, where my family had gotten various kitchen utensils and a pair of cross country skis in the past. After the past few months as a volunteer, I am grateful for everything I have learned about the services, community, and goals of this local non-profit.
On a Thursday in mid-January, the skies were bright blue, despite the chilly temperature, and I met up with Shannon Bittner ‘21 and Evelyn Kim ‘21 to get a FLR orientation. Yasmin Rashid, the workforce coordinator greeted us and explained the expectations for volunteers, as we walked through the rows of sports gear, furniture, and electronics. Right from the start, I was assured by the high standards of inclusiveness and respect that FLR requires. Yasmin made sure to ask our pronouns and told us about the diverse group of employees, including those with disabilities and those who have previously been incarcerated. The orientation felt very professional, yet still welcoming. I felt that even as a volunteer, I would be a valued part of the ReUse Team, and I was excited to start.
I began helping at ReUse Community Hardware, the newly acquired storefront in Triphammer Marketplace that opened in May, 2020. As the name hints, this location sells hardware, thanks to a deal that FLR made with previous owner, Ace Hardware. FLR has been selling Ace’s old inventory at a discount, and now the majority of the space is taken up by books, toys, kitchen appliances, housewares, and more.
As a volunteer here, I have helped employees price, shelve, sort, and organize items. The staff community is very appreciative of the volunteers, and they always want to teach us new skills. I recently learned how to use a warehouse pallet to transport heavy, boxed items. This is not a skill I would have intentionally sought out to learn, but if I ever wind up with a warehouse job, I’ll be prepared. As Shannon Bittner ‘21 tells me, “I have been learning to use FLR’s electronic checkout system and cash register, and I feel supported by my mentors as I learn and practice these customer service skills.”
In general, I find it fun to see how the FLR organization operates daily in their storefronts, working to accomplish their greater goals. I would say that they are very successful at accomplishing their mission statement, which is “enhancing community, economy, and environment through reuse.” I have already discussed my positive interactions with the FLR community, but I learned that this non-profit does so much more.
Starting in 2017, FLR created the ReUse Materials Access Program, which provides community members in need with store credit. Any local human services agency can refer clients to this program, and FLR has helped over 1,100 households by providing over $156,000 in ReUse retail value items.
FLR has an eCenter (at the Elmira Road location) where anyone can buy used computers and get affordable tech support and repairs. The eCenter provides local non-profit organizations with discounted IT services in another effort to support community groups.
I have to mention the amazing job training program that FLR offers, but it deserves more space, so check out my related article, which features current program coordinator, Dr. Aloja Airewele.
In terms of sustainability, FLR takes in donations throughout the year that may have otherwise been sent to the landfill, reducing material waste overall. Anyone can bring used goods to Ithaca ReUse or Triphammer ReUse throughout the year (just check the website to make sure they will accept your items). Additionally, the environmental impact of constantly producing and transporting new products is enormous. The less we rely on huge greenhouse gas emitters, the better. By processing items that are already in the community, FLR doesn’t create any manufacturing waste.
Additionally, FLR always tries to make products affordable for shoppers. When I was helping price items, the manager made it clear that the goal at FLR is never to sell items to make the most profit. As a non-profit organization, they make money to cover their programs and staff’s paychecks. You can be assured that employees are being paid fairly, as FLR is a certified Living Wage Employer.
Shopping at FLR is a great way to save money if you have a tight budget, and it is also exciting because you never know what treasures you might find. During my last visit to Triphammer, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a Texas Instrument graphing calculator, looking practically new, with a price tag of $25. High school math students, we all know that those can cost well over a hundred dollars.
Anais Vanek-Raphaelidis ‘22 is a frequent shopper at FLR and tells me, “I’ve gotten really high-quality items, like the $5 sewing machine I use for all my projects and a beautiful cherry dresser for my room. I also like to check out the clothes department where I’ve gotten a lot of trendy stuff.”
Finger Lakes ReUse is an inclusive organization that welcomes all shoppers, employees, and volunteers, with aims to create a just, resilient, and waste-free world. You can support these community-centered goals by shopping, donating, or volunteering.