Mats, masks, and more to help those in need

GODERICH, Ont. – The pandemic has prevented in-person, out of town deliveries of sleeping mats and knitwear from the Berea Lutheran Hats and Mats Project, but the group continues to knit and work on the Feminine Hygiene Project, as well as a new project: making cloth facemasks.

Between January and March 2020 the group delivered: 80 milk bag sleeping mats, 150 knit hats, 60 pair of knit mitts, 50 scarves, 165 pairs of socks, and several boxes of cereal to homeless shelters in Southern Ontario. Deliveries ceased following stay-home orders in March. 

Between January and July, the Feminine Hygiene Project group made and sent off 165 crocheted facecloths, 100 cloth bags, 160 cotton shields, and 800 liners. These items are assembled into kits to be given to young school-aged women, most recently in the Caribbean, so they can continue to attend school.

During the pandemic, the Feminine Hygiene Project group created 100 cloth facemasks for the Berea (Goderich) and Zion (Dashwood) church communities. Church members can use them to attend appointments, do their shopping, and attend church in person. As of July, wearing masks was mandatory in public buildings.

During the pandemic, the Monday night community group has continued to knit hats, mitts, and facecloths, making several porch drop-offs over the past few months. Additional finished work has filled the storage area at Berea, and the group looks forward to being able to make in-person, out of town deliveries to homeless shelters in the future.

Donations of bulky acrylic yarn and new white socks are always welcomed by the project. Contact Heather Ball through the Berea Lutheran Church Facebook page for more information.

Heather Ball

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