Calling all crocheters

Every Monday morning at 9 a.m., a group, known as "The Sisterhood of Bag Ladies," meets at the Montgomery American Legion to turn plastic bags into mats for homeless people. The group has produced and distributed 360 six-foot by 2-1/2-foot bed rolls since July 2016, and now they need your help (especially if you crochet).

To produce the bed rolls, volunteers flatten, fold, and cut the plastic bags into pieces. The pieces are then tied together to make "plarn" that is wound into balls similar to yarn. That plarn is then passed to the group’s crocheters, who spend hours creating each mat.

Sharon Horejsi, who retired last May, decided to join the “Sisterhood” to both help the homeless and have fun.

“It’s a good way to meet people and also help people,” Horejsi stated. “We work hard, but laugh a lot and truly enjoy each other’s company.”

Homeless outreach shelters in Faribault, Mankato, Minneapolis, and Duluth have received bed rolls from the local group, but more are needed.

“So many bedrooms are needed for the homeless, especially during this cold weather,” stated Cathy Herrmann. “There is a job for everyone, but we could really use crocheters!”

Herrmann encourages those who are interested in helping with the project to contact one of the group members or just show up at the Legion on a Monday morning.