Bag Ladies Ministry

Sleeping Mats For The Homeless Waiting For Delivery To “Our Calling”

For about 8 years this group of ladies and men have been producing sleeping mats for the homeless from used plastic grocery story bags. During this time 100’s of the mats, pillows and shoulder bags have been made (crocheted and woven) and donated to several groups which serve the homeless. Dozens of women and men (not all of whom have been members of our congregation) have served with this group for periods of time. One of the best benefits of this project is that it doesn’t cost a penny but helps a lot of people and the environment by taking plastic bags out of the waste stream. Another benefit is camaraderie. We get lots of talking done while we flatten, cut and tie or crochet plastic bags.

This project starts with plastic bags that are donated by members of the community, church member, friends and strangers. The bags are flattened, cut into strips which are tied together to make PLARN then rolled into balls for crocheting and weaving. The size of the mats made is about 3ft by 6ft, each using up about 800 plastic bags. Each mat is rolled into a manageable size and tied with a loop of crocheted PLARN for carrying.

Bag Ladies go to SMU (Southern Methodist University)

On Saturday, April 27th, 2025 our Bag Ladies accompanied by Pastor and Scott Gilmore traveled to Southern Methodist University in Dallas to hold a sleeping mat workshop for students who take classes in homelessness. We went at the invitation of Dr. Laura Robinson-Doyle, a Clinical Associate Professor in the Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

Dr. Laura had seen our sleeping mats at Our Calling when she took her students there to volunteer. We were blessed to spend about 2 hours that day with 40-50 young men and women who didn’t just come to class but wholeheartedly participated in every aspect of mat making: flattening plastic bags, cutting the bags into strips, tying the strips and rolling balls of Plarn, even learning to crochet.

Prior to joining us, these young people had spent an hour packing Blessing Bags (bags of hygiene and other items) with a handwritten note of encouragement tucked into each one. These are bags they and others carry in their cars to hand to homeless people they meet on the streets. They sent a supply of the bags home for us to distribute. If you haven’t received one yet, please ask a Bag Lady.

Bag Ladies!