Crafters give used plastic bags a new lease on life - New Pelican

By Martin Lenkowsky | New Pelican Writer

Pompano Beach – Don’t throw out those plastic bags from the supermarket. They can have a more productive future than just sitting in some landfill the next thousand years waiting to decompose.

In fact, some Leisureville residents have found a way to put these usually discarded bags to good use by transforming them into something beneficial to the downtrodden.

Meet the members of this crafting group who skillfully use their crochet hooks to turn – almost magically – bags into mats for homeless individuals. “This will help people sleeping on the ground. It’s good for the homeless,” said Dr. Cathy Waltz, a retired social worker and group member. She said her church, which is located in Dania, began doing this years ago. She then decided to do the same thing at her Pompano Beach community. “I’m a social worker. I had it in my heart to be compassionate.”

This compassion, combined with community spirit, began at a young age for Waltz. “As a little girl I helped with flood relief in West Virginia.” It takes about 700 bags to produce a mat and about one full day, or two afternoons, to crochet one. However, it takes hours of prep work beforehand which means organizing, smoothing out and neatly folding the bags. The group makes 30 or 40 mats a month.

Lindy Zack, a 25-year Leisureville resident, has that creative gene running through her blood; not only does she enjoy making mats for the homeless, she’s been teaching wood carving classes at a senior center in Deerfield Beach for the past 25 years. Plus, she’s now teaching watercolor painting there as well. Asked how it feels to be making a difference, she said, “My grandmother taught me to crochet. She said the thread linked the community together. This is a good way to link our community. I’m a good crocheter, but I don’t need another doily.”

Their fellow crafter, Nancy Welsh, simply enjoys being able to do things for others. She also knits hats and blankets for needy children. Waltz says the group is always in need of more bags. “At least this makes better use of the plastic rather than the landfill,” she said. “If every church or social group was doing this, we would probably make a dent in the landfill.”

They receive most of their bags from those within the community. However, some bags were donated from the Beacon Light Publix. In terms of how it feels for her to make a difference in other’s lives, she said, “That’s pretty much what I wanted to do my whole life.”

An entire table top at the Leisureville clubhouse is covered by assorted shopping bags in a wide array of colors. There’s more to the plastic bag world than the plain, boring, tan Publix bags. Waltz says the use of color is important. “Since I have a good sense of color, I try to make them look nice,” she said. “People choose the mat that appeals to them.”

The mats are taken to Waltz’s church, and members of the congregation distribute them to organizations assisting the homeless. And of course, they’d like more people engaged in mat making. “We’ve got the process down,” Welsh said. “But we need more participants.”

Waltz adds, “We would welcome other people to help with the prep if they don’t crochet.”

And while the crafters’ hands were busy crocheting mats for the needy, Waltz’s husband, Jerry, was making good use of his own hands. He played guitar and sang in the background. And yes, he has a good voice. As he played and sang “It’s Only Love” by The Beatles, Zack said the music “absolutely helps the crafting.”

The Leisureville Crafting Club meets 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays at the south clubhouse, 101 Leisure Blvd. Email [email protected] for more information.

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