By Amanda Estes
Staff Writer
    Ruth Libby is still looking for a new home. Not for herself, but for pounds of books and paper, boxes of felt and foam, and supplies of computers and office furniture. Libby, founder of Ruth’s Reusable Resources (3R's), has been asked to vacate her current location at Bessey School by June 30 to make way for a new senior housing project.
    Libby said she looked at mills and warehouses in Saco and Biddeford, as well as buildings in Scarborough and Portland. She also looked at land in Westbrook, but said she doesn’t have time to build. Libby estimates she will need to raise $100,000 in the next three months to cover moving costs, utility payments, and rent. After moving into the new facility, Libby hopes to pay for the utilities and rent by opening up a store for the public alongside the "free store" for teachers.
    Ruth’s Reusable Resources has expanded exponentially since 1994 when Libby started saving odds and ends of material to donate to her son’s kindergarten class. After working out of her basement and then a room at the Oak Hill Grammar School, Libby was able to continue her services after moving into the Bessey School via a grant from the UNUM Charitable Foundation. Since moving into the Bessey School, Libby has dealt with mold, dust, and three floods. The conditions have prevented some volunteers from offering their services, but they haven't brought Libby to a halt. After more than a decade operating out of Bessey School, however, Libby said many people still don’t understand what her organization does.
    “No one knows who we are until they come in,” she said. “Once people come in here, they’re in awe and they see how much it makes sense for this program to continue.” Once a month she hosts "Show and Tell" luncheons for 12 to 15 people in which participants tour the Bessey School, eat lunch, take a pop quiz, and learn about the organization through a question and answer session. Last year, Libby sent out a Ruth's Reusable Resources Report Card to area businesses asking them to join the 3R's "New Home Club." The card outlined some of the organization's accomplishments including $8 million worth of goods distributed to Maine schools and a network of 230 schools and nonprofit agencies.
        "We're the biggest in the amount of stuff we take in and take out," Libby said, explaining what makes her organization unique. To the best of her knowledge, the SHAREcenter in Auburn and the University of Maine at Farmington are the only other providers of reusable materials for teachers. Libby said she has discussed with the SHAREcenter board the possibility of merging the two organizations. "Oddly enough, they have to be out of their building by June 1," Libby said.
        Libby said the ideal facility would be a "very affordable" 27,000 square foot building equipped with a loading dock and located in close proximity to the turnpike. She said convenience to the turnpike ensures easy access for teachers throughout the state. A loading dock is necessary, as Libby said supplies are currently delivered via 18-wheelers. She said the future site would most likely not be within a neighborhood setting because the trucks would be too disruptive.
        Fundraising efforts, Libby said, are just getting underway. On March 31, April Fools Eve, a comedy show starring Tom Clark, “the Mel Tillis of comedy,” and Tammy Pooler will be held at the Governor's restaurant in South Portland. Part of the door proceeds will go to the 3R's Building Fund. Clark said he heard about Libby's organization from his sister, Susan Helms, who is principal of Blue Point Elementary School. After meeting Libby, Clark said he knew the organization "had to keep going."
    Libby said she currently doesn't have enough board members and volunteers to swing a big fundraising event, but she is planning to invite the public to a spring "yard sale." She said the sale would most likely include books, paper, manufacturing castoffs, and possibly furniture and computer equipment. Libby said she is also pursuing grants, but they can be difficult to acquire because the organization does not fit into just one category. Educating the public about the positive impacts of 3R's,however, is something that Libby is happy to do.  
    For more information about the 3R’s, visit www.ruths.org, send an email to ruthsreusableresources@yahoo.com, or call (207) 883-8407. For more information about the comedy benefit, visit www.laughyourbuttoff.net.