Starting a home improvement project this summer? Buffalo ReUse, a local non-profit organization, wants to help you find the materials you need. Starting this week, their ReSource store is expanding its hours. It will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 7:30AM to 5PM. In addition, the store is now open Sundays from 10AM to 4PM at 298 Northampton Street.
The store
takes salvaged materials and sells them to the public for an average of 50
percent off the price of a new item. The group finds much of its materials from
old Buffalo homes -- some as old as 100 years old. "If you have an old house
and you're looking for restoration materials, we're a good place to start,"
said Kevin Hayes, the store's manager. ReSource sells old hardware for
doors and windows, as well as lighting fixtures, sinks, molding, and much more.
The store also receives many materials from people looking to improve their home and not toss out those still-usable products. If you'd like to donate old products or have a question about the shop's inventory, call 716.882.2800.
Buffalo
ReUse also offers "green demolition." The group demolishes old, abandoned
structures and salvages much of the materials for future use by the public.
Materials that can't be reused - such as metals, waste wood, or concrete - are then recycled.
In
addition, Buffalo ReUse works with some city neighborhoods to turn vacant properties into
community gardens. Currently, there are 10 gardens on Buffalo's East Side, as
well as 10 more on the city's West Side. The group works to clear the lot and
plant the new garden. "We help make it a sustainable thing for the neighbors,"
Hayes said. The gardens also aim to bring members of the community together.
"It's a healthy thing to get out and work together in the community. We get to
know each other and accomplish something at the end of the day," Hayes
continued. For information on how you can get involved with the project, send
them an E-mail.
Images: Top 2, Caesandra Seawell; last, Tysha Martin.
I love Buffalo ReUse! They are the number one best asset on the East Side. They are doing so much for the community where they are located. I wish they would receive some financial support from City Hall. Their efforts to provide job skills for young adults is what we need in this poor city. Michael Gainer and Kevin Hayes are great mentors!