Lancaster Creative Reuse

Who We Are

Lancaster's Creative Reuse center offers a donation based art, craft, and sewing supply store. We are a 501c3 non-profit organization working to connect community excess to those who can use it creatively. LCR aims to inspire creativity, and encourage reuse through providing educational and community outreach programming.

Mission Statement

Lancaster Creative Reuse promotes upcycling and cultivates creativity, sustainability, and community connections by circulating affordable excess materials to artists, educators and makers. The mission of Lancaster Creative Reuse is to keep items out of the landfill, inspire creativity, increase access to the arts through affordability, and encourage reuse.  LCR is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that collects excess art, craft, and sewing materials.  The items are used to provide our community with a range of low-cost supplies, as well as an open craft table to create onsite. 

Our History

From the beginning of August 2010, LCR was a project of the nonprofit Keystone Art & Culture Center. We started in an 850 sq foot room in the basement of the former Stahr Armory. In 2012, LCR moved to 1865 Lincoln Hwy E., just east of Lancaster City, with our first participation in fundraising.

After 12 years we again found ourselves needing to expand, bringing us to our new facility located at 1766 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601.

Giving Back

Throughout the year,  we participate in events held off-site in order to increase awareness and teach the concepts of creative reuse. We enjoy contributing our time and efforts to local events where we can share our love of art and desire for sustainability! LCR has a free open craft table full of supplies that anyone is able to utilize for crafts or art. Our open craft table continues to inspire both children and adults alike.

We continue to fulfill our vision of connecting community excess to those that can use it creatively by collecting and sorting donations from our neighbors, churches and businesses. On average, we donate over 700 lbs of material per year to local organizations, schools, churches and non-profits and other groups in need that would have otherwise gone to a landfill!  These materials are reused to create clothing, blankets, bags, hats, and other necessities, as well as opportunities for individuals to become self-sustaining through their trade or craft. 

Fundraising

The money we have raised has helped us keep our doors open, pay bills and provide educational classes and supplies to schools and charities in our community, all while diverting 47 tons of waste from the landfill. LCR continues to search for new pathways to help our surrounding community. We continue to work diligently to provide materials, education, inspiration, and funding to local charities, schools and associations.

Our store staff and dedicated volunteers provide a welcoming, educational and organized space to shop and create. We would be honored if you would support us by donating to our cause.

Gratefully yours, 

Rebecca Goldinger

Store Manager