Attention TEACHERS and ARTISTS, I just found your new favorite place…read more
I came here on a camp trip with a bunch of five-year-olds. I knew nothing about this place before arriving so I had absolutely no expectations. Five minutes into our tour, I realized that this place is gold.
We were led through aisles and aisles and aisles of gently used donated materials. Here is a "short" list of some of the things that MFTA has for you.
-Paper, zippers, beads, books, playbills, programs, posters, wood, full mannequin bodies and mannequin body parts, travel sized containers, glass containers, spools of thread, fabric, leather scraps, computers, printers, binders, tables, plastic containers, metal parts, labels....the list goes on for days.
What's the catch?!? Not much actually. You do need a membership to reap the benefits, but if you are a teacher at a public school or work for a non-profit, everything is FREE! And don't you dare think that after a few teachers fill up cartloads of materials that you missed your chance. This place is enormous and donations are consistently flowing through their doors.
Once you've filled up your cart (or your 5 carts), your only form of payment is a thank you. MFTA asks that you send a thank you to each company that you've "purchased" from. Just a few donors that Omar (our enthusiastic & informative tour guide) mentioned were Google, Macy's and Disney.
Wait artists, there is more! If you create any form of art using MFTA's materials, they have a studio for you to work in right next to their warehouse of materials. Once your piece is complete, they will even showcase your work in their gallery. I don't know about you, but I'm amazed.
Set up a school trip, rent a uhaul to stock up on supplies or just grab your toothbrush and move in. MFTA is an A+ in my book.