SCRAP, one of my favorite art/craft supply spots in Portland is in need of our help. SCRAP provides the community with workshops, kid’s camps, and a creative retail center promoting the value of reuse. Due to their rapid growth, they are experiencing a lack in the funds needed to keep the operation’s growth on track. There are several options for how you can help. Please consider donating some time, supplies, or money to SCRAP today.

This is the beginning of SCRAP’s 10th year and unfortunately we have started the year that should be celebratory with financial challenges due to a funding shortfall. Over the last year, our staff has grown so that we can better meet the creative and environmental needs of our community. With growth comes a need for expanded funding. The proceeds from store sales only cover about 40% of our annual budget. We rely on grant funding, membership dollars and individual contributions to cover the rest. An easy solution would be to raise our prices, but we really pride ourselves on keeping the prices low and affordable. As we await word back on several grants, we ask you, our supporters, to consider making a financial contribution to SCRAP.

On a daily basis, we hear how much people appreciate the services we provide at SCRAP. We want to continue to support the creative and educational communities of Portland, but we can’t do it without your support.

Please make a gift to SCRAP today. Donations can be dropped off at the store, mailed to 3901 North Williams Ave. Suite A, Portland, OR 97227 or made online through Network for Good.

In you are unable to contribute financially, there are other ways that you can help. Volunteer, bring a friend to SCRAP the next time you stop by, post a blurb about SCRAP on your blog or in your school/work newsletter, round up at the counter, donate a portion of your art sales to SCRAP, share your marketing or graphic design skills, link to us on facebook and myspace, and anything else that can spread the word about who we are and why it’s important that we continue to exist.

The real positive in all this is that the staff, the board, and enthusiastic people in our community are committed to reaffirming SCRAP’s vision and to developing a strategic plan for moving SCRAP to the next level as a sustainable non-profit. Last month’s survey was part of this SCRAP ACTION that you will be hearing more about throughout the year! Thanks to everyone that participated in the survey. Look for a recap next month!