“Reusey Lucy” is the name.

It’s a fully electric truck used by Materials for the Arts, also known as MFTA, named by third graders at P.S. 17 in Astoria. In particular, it was Anna Suarez who proposed the idea. 

What You Need To Know

  • Third graders at P.S. 17 in Astoria named two new electric vehicles used by Materials for the Arts: a truck called “Reusey Lucy” and a van called “Buttercup”

  • Materials for the Arts collects donated materials from across the city and distributes them for free to arts nonprofits, public schools and city agencies

  • The program helps keep reusable items out of landfills by giving them a second life in art projects, school productions and other creative uses

  • Last year, Materials for the Arts collected more than 4.1 million pounds of donated materials valued at nearly $17 million and distributed them to 2,500 organizations, schools and public agencies

“I was trying to find a fun name that would be like a fun pun, so I thought of reusing, so I thought Reusey Lucy,” said Suarez.

The students, led by classmate Sophia Santana, also named the MFTA fully electric van Buttercup. The vehicles are used to collect donated materials from across the city and make them available to arts nonprofits, public schools and city agencies for free.

MFTA, a city Department of Cultural Affairs program, has been doing this for nearly 50 years.

“Our teachers and not-for-profits and any arts organization can sign up through our website, and then, from there, they get approved. Once approved, they become a member, and with that membership, they can schedule shopping appointments Tuesdays and Thursdays, and whatever you can take is yours to keep from the warehouse for free-99,” said Miyah Harris, the education coordinator at MFTA.

The program ensures that materials are kept out of landfills and given another life in art projects and school plays. Items include fabric, paper, electronics, theater equipment and paint.

“Today the artist uses everything, and that’s the beauty of it, because we want everyone to know that everyone is an artist and all they have to do is look around and find those reused materials and just get started,” said John Kaiser, the director of education and gallery director at MFTA.

The kids at P.S. 17 got to have some fun with their newly delivered materials and received swag bags to thank them for their participation in the naming process. Teachers said they are eager to reuse the donated items for projects in the next school year.

“In our building, we are so pro-arts that we have these programs, and our kids enjoy art, so let’s continue to promote art so we can have it,” said Jamila Christie, a teacher at the school.

The electric vehicles were acquired through the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, also known as DCAS. It’s part of New York City’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Last year, MFTA collected more than 4.1 million pounds of materials valued at nearly $17 million, distributing them to 2,500 member organizations, schools and public agencies across the five boroughs.

For more on the program, click here.