COVID-19 UPDATE: Recycle for a Reason, a mission of the United Methodist Church of Chugiak, is discontinuing operation for the winter. We are very sad to have to suspend this service to our community after eight years. We will miss seeing all who have donated so generously, the eager shoppers waiting at the door, and the many dedicated volunteers from the community and the church. Please continue to share love by caring for yourself, your family and your community.

-R4R Board of Directors, and the congregation of the United Methodist Church Of Chugiak.

In 2020:

In this unusual year, Recycle for a Reason has survived with the support of the hard working ecumenical community. It has not only helped numerous families materially and financially, but also generated funding for many mission oriented agencies in the area. In the four "regular" months of R4R operation since last November, the program has funnelled approximately $5200 into missions. Grants have supported UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief), Love AK (an organization helping those trapped in human trafficking), Love, INC (a local ecumenical organization to help those in need), Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission, Bean's Cafe, Covenant House, Birchwood Camp and CCS. The present medical crisis has halted the Recycle program temporarily, but the community is speaking loudly on social media for its continuance, and we look forward to the time when we can safely reopen again!

Our Program

Every month the United Methodist Church of Chugiak accepts donations of gently used items from the community and distributes those items to people and organizations that can use them.

  • We provide a place for the Chugiak-Eagle River Community to recycle usable items.
  • We help people help their neighbors by sharing useful goods.
  • We care for those who need assistance.
  • We support service organizations.
  • We conserve resources and extend the life of our landfill.
  • We provide opportunities for community service.

Find us at the 16430 Old Glenn Highway, across from the U-Do-Mini Storage.

Receive

Come to our monthly distribution event for housewares, clothing, furniture, toys, and more. Take the items you need and make a donation that is fair and reasonable and fits your budget.

Volunteer

Lend a hand. Sort and organize donations, lay out items, staff the distribution event, help us pack and carry, or set up signs. All are welcome.

Where does the money go?

Recycle for a Reason receives a modest amount of money in donations each month. The program's board manages the funds. After paying expenses, they make quarterly grants to support missions both locally and world wide.

Organizations We've Helped

We don't always know who needs help.  So, we trust many knowledgeable people and organizations to help us share the goods we receive. More than 95 organizations serving the Anchorage bowl, the State of Alaska, and the world have worked with us.
 
Airmen's Attic. Alaska Child and Family. Alaska Native Cultural Charter School. Alaska Fine Arts Academy. Alaska SPCA. Alaska Youth Academy, JBER. Alaska Youth Advocates. Alaska Youth for Christ. Alaska’s Chihuahua Rescue. Alternative Justice System. American Diabetes Association. Anchorage Concert Chorus. Anchorage Rescue Mission. Airman’s Attic, JBER. ASD Extended School Year Special Education. AWAIC shelter. Beacon Hill House. Beans Café. Bible Baptist Church. Birchwood Elementary Classrooms. Bird TLC of Anchorage. Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Birchwood Camp. Bird TLC. Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout projects. Boys & Girls Club, Eagle River. Bruce Roberts Memorial Camperships. Campbell Creek Elementary classrooms. Catholic Social Services, Refugee Assistance & Immigration. Chugiak Children’s Services. Chugiak Elementary classrooms. Chugiak Elementary reading program. Chugiak High School Bio-tech. Chugiak High School business-wear closet. Chugiak High School, formal-wear closet. Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center. Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center Gift Shop. Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center, Personal Care Assistant. Church of the Nations, Anchorage. Community Covenant Church. Community Health Fair. Covenant House. Cynthia Sage Lowe Benevolent Fund. Daisy Girl Scout Troop 694. Doctors Without Borders. Eagle Crest Assistant Living. Eagle River Food Pantry. Eagle River Grace Brethren, Christmas choir. Eagle River High, NJROTC. Ebenezer Stone Project. Family Promise. Fire Lake Elementary Classrooms. Fire Lake Elementary Native Youth Olympics. Fire Lake Elementary X-country ski program. First Baptist Church of Eagle River, clothes closet. First Student bus drivers. Friends of K-9s, Bethel. Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. Head Start Families. Heart to Heart Pregnancy Resource Center. Hiland Mountain Correctional Center orchestra. Home-schooled students. Homestead Elementary classrooms. Homework Club at UMCC. Kingdom Air Corps. Kings Way Ministry Center. Kool Kat Rescue. Lazy Mountain Baptist Church, Palmer. Lions Club eye glass recycling. local people in need. Love INC, Eagle River. Love INC, Anchorage. Mac Center Hockey program. Mike’s Music, Instrument rehab. Mirror Lake Middle School disaster victims. Mt. Spurr Elementary Classrooms. New Day Alaska ministry. Newborns in Need. Nome residents without coats. Nunaka Valley Elementary Music Program. P.O.W.E.R. (Peer Outreach Workers Educ. & Referral). Palmer Historical Society. Parish Nurse training. Peters Creek Christian Center. Philippine Poverty Project. Rabbit Creek Elem. shoe drive. Ravenwood Elementary Classrooms. S.A.V.E., ASD Alternative Education Program. ShelterBox International. St. John’s United Methodist Church, Guatemalan mission. The Crossing, ministry to newly freed prisoners. Threads. Tot Time at UMCC. Trail Life U.S.A. Tyson Elementary school. United Protestant Church, Palmer. Whaley Center, Anchorage.
 
Recognized in 2014 as an outstanding mission by the Alaska United Methodist Conference.