Senior Makes Mats to Help the Homeless

Every grocery bag must be folded multiple times and then cut into strips

Tools

By Lauren Maxwell
Bio | Email

Story Created: May 29, 2012 at 8:17 PM AKDT

Story Updated: May 30, 2012 at 7:57 AM AKDT

WASILLA - Giving back to the community can take many forms, but a senior citizen in Wasilla has hit on a unique way to help others.

Sandy Giddens has always liked to knit and crochet, but not long ago Giddens read an article in a national magazine that inspired her. It talked about crocheting with plastic grocery bags, to make projects that Giddens knew could help the homeless.

She started collecting the plastic grocery bags that most people consider trash. Next, she gathered a few friends from the Wasilla Senior Center and went to work. Before long she had finished crocheting her first plastic sleeping mat for homeless people.

“It keeps them off the damp ground,” says Giddens, picking up one of the six-foot long mats. “If they have a blanket they can roll it up, and put a string, or rope around it and carry it everywhere because it rolls up pretty small.”

The mats are waterproof and strong. They are supposed to make sleeping on the ground more comfortable.

Giddens hopes to make as many as possible, but the process isn’t as easy as you might think.

Every grocery bag must be folded multiple times and then cut into strips. The strips are then knotted together to form a continuous strand of “parn” or platicized yarn, which can then be crocheted into different items.

Each mat also requires up to 700 bags and plenty of man hours. But Giddens says that’s not the point of making the sleeping mats.

“I’m hoping it means something to somebody, but if it doesn’t, I feel good about what I'm doing,” says Giddens.

She says any help would be appreciated, or she’s happy to teach the simple skills so that someone can start a project on their own. If you’d like to get rid of plastic grocery bags she will take them too. They can be dropped off at the Senior Center in Wasilla.

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

Celia Harrison said on Wednesday, May 30 at 4:13 AM

One word of caution about crocheting with plastic bags. They contain a chemical that can trigger asthma attacks. I found this out the hard way while crocheting with plastic. Good for you Ms. Giddens for finding a way to make something to help people.

92209736
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Tanya Autrey said on Tuesday, May 29 at 10:32 PM

I love you grandma and everything you are doing it is so wonderful not only are you helping someone in need you are recycling to. a double whammy

92198886
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Janie Batres said on Tuesday, May 29 at 9:33 PM

Her name is Sandy Giddens not Gibbens please make sure you correct it.

92197536
Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KTVA CBS 11 | Anchorage, Alaska News and Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.