MONROE — Sleeping mats and tote bags filled with hygiene products were blessed by the Rev. James Bischoff, pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church , before being donated to Family Counseling and Shelter Services of Monroe County.
The creative team behind the handmade items include Andrea Johnson, Vicki White, Barb Hosler and Laura Morris, all of Monroe.
Under Johnson’s tutelage, the group gathers in the parish hall from 3-5 p.m. on Wednesdays to turn plastic grocery bags into sleeping mats and totes.
Using hundreds of grocery bags, produce bags and newspaper bags cut into 2-inch strips, crocheters and knitters meticulously weave the plastic yarn or “plarn” into sleeping mats measuring 6 feet long by 3 feet wide. It’s estimated each mat requires 150 bags.
Johnson started the project in 2017. In 2018, the women of Trinity, along with members of the community, adapted the project and made 50 reading mats they donated to the Custer Elementary Campus. The one-of-a-kind mats made sitting on the floor more comfortable.
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In addition to the sleeping mats, the group also makes small tote bags and fills them with a variety of items like mini bottles of shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and feminine hygiene products.
Deodorant and feminine hygiene product donations are needed and can be dropped off at the church, 304 S. Monroe St., during business hours 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For the summer, the group is taking a break but plan to resume their handiwork in late August or early September.
Johnson is willing to teach anyone interested in learning to crochet and to make sleeping mats or totes.
For more information, call Johnson at 734-755-2592.
— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com .
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Recycled sleeping mats, tote bags receive special blessing
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