A new nonprofit is offering a chance for industries to get a little greener, and area teachers, families and artists will be able to reap the benefits.
Scrap4Art, an organization dedicated to promoting creativity and environmentalism, is preparing to open a craft store at 1501 Adams St. It won't house traditional craft supply stock, but donations of scrap.
"There is a tremendous volume of waste generated by consumer industries, and that waste is useful, especially in the classroom," said Evy Jarrett, a Toledo lawyer and mother of three who started the organization with friend and fellow mother Stacy McClellan.
"We wanted to raise our kids to respect the environment but still be creative," Ms. McClellan said.
Scrap4Art is modeled on similar nonprofits forming across the country, such as the Scrap Box in Ann Arbor.
Libby Katopodis has been involved with that recycled craft store for almost 10 years. The crafts people make range from the very simple to the very elaborate - marble mazes, puppets, cars and masks are just a few artworks they have had success with, she said.
Ms. Katopodis said that though the store gets a good combination of teachers, families and artists, teachers in particular have found it useful. "There are a lot of good creative-type materials that can be used in adding to their programs, as well as being economical in price," she said.
Ms. Jarrett and Ms. McClellan jump-started the Toledo store after receiving a grant from Hinkle Manufacturing, which provides packaging services to the automotive industry. The company not only provided the seed funding to start up the nonprofit, but will donate scrap waste, such as foam punchouts, after the store gets going.
Donations can include a variety of materials, such as fabric, wallpaper, foam, cardboard cylinders, small pieces of lumber, bottle caps and more, and are accepted from commercial industries and private homes.
"Kids get just as much fun out of playing with scraps of trash as with expensive crafts," Ms. McClellan said. "This could be a great resource that helps reduce, recycle and reuse, and encourage creativity at the same time."
The store will sell its donations at a low rate, approximately $7 a bag.
"Basically, it's enough to cover operating expenses," Ms. Jarrett said. "I don't ever hope to see us becoming this major profit center - the idea is to serve the community."
In addition to selling supplies, Ms. Jarrett plans to host family and classroom-oriented activities.
"I'd love to see us have an open day workshop time when anybody can come in and just make stuff using the materials we have here," she said.
Ms. Jarrett and Ms. McClellan both said that although the job has had some challenges, like trying to find a good location and finding the time in already hectic schedules to do what needs doing, it has its share of benefits as well.
"It's been gratifying to work with people in the community who want to see it succeed," Ms. Jarrett said. "Seeing all those people work together to achieve a common goal is very rewarding."
The store is set to open in July with limited hours, then switch to regular hours of operation during the school year to make it easier for teachers to take advantage of its services..
Contact Carin Yavorcik at:tcyavorcik@theblade.com
or 419-724-6050.
First Published June 22, 2006, 12:23 p.m.