Post-COVID Reopening. New programs. New leadership.

With great gratitude and appreciation, the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse announces the retirement of its long-time Executive Director, Linda Levitsky, who was named “Woman of the Year” in 2002 in the Environment category by Alameda County. She led the Depot since 1997, while it became the East Bay’s leading reuse organization for creative arts and education. Under her leadership, the Depot provided free supplies to tens of thousands of local educators, assisted countless artists and crafts-people with their projects, and diverted thousands of tons of reusable materials away from landfills, and toward useful second, and even third, lives.

An extensive search is being launched to find the next leader of the Depot. The Board expects to fill this position by the beginning of 2021.

In order to help the Depot reopen as soon as is practical, expand programs, and develop new, sustainable funding streams to take the Depot through the pandemic and beyond, the Board has named Ben Delaney as Interim Executive Director. An Oakland resident, Ben recently served as Executive Director for SCRAP, the world’s first Creative Reuse Center, located in San Francisco. Ben has more than 20 years of nonprofit experience, serving on several nonprofit Boards and in leadership positions in Bay Area community-serving organizations.

“The Board of Directors and staff of the Depot are extremely grateful to Linda for her often super-human efforts. We are planning a proper celebration of her great work to be held as soon as social events are feasible.” remarked Mary Miller, Depot Board President. “We are pleased that Linda will continue to be a part of the Depot as a member of the Board of Directors.  We welcome Ben to help lead us through the current challenges and transition. Together, we are working to ensure that the Depot has a sustainable business model and will be able to continue to support Bay Area teachers and artists for many more years.”

Coming Soon

One of our most important programs is supporting teachers with free and low-cost class supplies. This is program that COVID threw a monkey wrench into. But we are looking at ways to get supplies to teachers and to kids who are learning at home. We expect to announce how this program will work in a few weeks.

The Depot Needs Your Help Now.

As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Depot to close in March. Since then, we have had virtually no income. However, a small group of dedicated staff has been cleaning and reorganizing the depot, so it will be ready and better than ever when we are able to reopen.

Despite being closed, our expenses, rent, insurance, utilities, and taxes still need to be paid. And our small reserve is steadily shrinking.

So we are asking you, one of our thousands of faithful supporters, help us meet these obligations. We know that this is a difficult time for you too, and if you are unable to help now, we completely understand, and wish you the best of luck.

We suggest two ways that you can help support the Depot:

1. Purchase a gift card in any amount, which never expires, by clicking HERE. You‘ll be able to use this card when we reopen.
2. If you can make a monetary donation, click HERE. Any donation will help us continue our important work.

Soon we will announce how we will be able to start accepting material donations. Thanks for your patience.

We sincerely appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to reopening just as soon as we can safely do so.

Send your suggestions and feedback to Ben@CreativeReuse.org.

Thank you!

	Mary Miller
Ben Delaney Interim Executive Director	Mary Miller President, Board of Directors