Plastic Bag Shortage Affecting Volunteers Making Blankets For Homeless

GEORGETOWN, De-  Volunteer 50 Plus Delaware members say a shortage of plastic bags is hurting their ability to turn those bags into sleeping bags and mats for the homeless.

“It said but the truth is we can not make these fast enough,” said Volunteer Linda Mason who helps make the bags and leads volunteers in the creation of the mats. She says just one matt can use over 600 bags that can help to elevate a homeless person from the ground and wick away moisture, unlike a traditional sleeping mat.

Volunteer Services admin Ann Gorrin tells us they can not do that with any types of bags and will need to turn to out-of-state donations to reach their goals.

“Slowly but surely those bags were phased out and now we only have the thicker plastic bags to work with which are very difficult,” she said adding “last year we distributed 100 sleeping mats throughout just Sussex so we’d like to be able to do that.”

While the bags are important, as temperatures drop they represent just a fraction of the needs faced by the homeless population in Delaware. Michael Kennedy received one of those mats from Shepherds Office in Delaware and says while it is useful for homeless individuals like him, there are limitations, especially as temperatures continue to drop.

“This storm we had it was bad those mats they are good for a mat but they are not great,t they will insulate but they have gaps in them,” he said adding that despite being able to repel moisture, when his tent collapsed due to snowfall, his clothes were still soaked.

He tells us those on the street need items like hand warmers, space heaters, non-perishable food, and clothing as well as cots and tents. Shepherds Office Organizer Jim Martin tells us they partner with volunteer organizations to help tackle all those needs, as each item is important to helping people survive.

“there’s like 85 things they need but one person cannot do all the things so to be able to partner with groups that they each do one or two things you add it up and we can really provide a package for someone living outdoors,” he said.

He says while a roof over the head is the preferred option, he has seen the success of the mats and hopes donations of plastic bags can help to continue those mats stay as part of that package.

Mason tells us their largest donations of bags have come from restaurants, with a huge order from Grottos Pizza helping to supply nearly all the mats they made last year.

If you or someone you know is able to donate, Volunteer 50 Plus Delaware can be reached at 302-515-3020.