Angelika San Francisco is known for often taking a leading role in environmental protection. For example, we recycle diligently (Rundbrief 02/2006) and the city has even banned plastic bags (Rundbrief 04/2007). Today, I want to introduce you to an ingenious non-profit organization in San Francisco that not only benefits the environment but also helps financially strapped teachers, educators, artists, and other creatives: SCRAP, the "Scrounger's Center for Reusable Art Parts.
The institution has been around for 30 years. By the way, "Scrap" can also mean junk or trash. In a large warehouse, there are true treasures on the shelves: fabrics, wall calendars, paper, wax crayons, stamps, metal parts, postcards, tiles, buttons, frames, wood, and much more. SCRAP receives material donations, usually from companies looking to get rid of their surplus stock or from company liquidations, which are quite common in the current economic downturn. The shelves are therefore stocked differently depending on the current donation situation. So, every visit to SCRAP is like a treasure hunt.
The items cost a small fee of an average of 10 cents to $1.50 per piece. However, no one is very strict about it. Recently, I got a bag full of items for $3, and the cashier had just glanced briefly into my bag to calculate the price. By the way, SCRAP is located in a somewhat run-down area in the "Bayview" district, squeezed between two highways and surrounded by warehouses. There's a lot of trash lying around, and glass on the ground suggests broken car windows, but everything is fine during the day. SCRAP is, of course, not a super tidy and organized store, but the volunteer helpers make an effort to lovingly stock the shelves with the donated items. When I recently explored SCRAP with my friend Conny, fabrics seemed to be the hot item among customers. I also find it nice that SCRAP offers various classes that teach you how to creatively use the available materials.
Greetings from scrappy San Francisco
Angelika & Michael