Winnipeggers in need to receive ‘plarn’ mats

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This article was published 11/12/2017 (3094 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

“People don’t like to give to the homeless. You ask for money and they’ll laugh at you but if you ask for garbage, they’ll give you garbage,” says West Broadway Community Ministry communications and development officer Ray Eskritt.

But in this case, garbage isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it’s part of a campaign that’s taking over the city as people learn that their plastic bags may be put to better use than taking up space under the sink. Eskritt is leading volunteers through the process of creating plarn (or plastic yarn) mats, which are made from strips of plastic bags with a crocheting technique.

She said the mats may help those who sit on sidewalks or in bus shelters for much of the day get through the bitterly cold winter.

“They’re waterproof, and squishy and warm. When you sleep on something of that consistency, it’s really soft and because they’re plastic, they’re a good insulator,” Eskritt said. “Because they’re crocheted, they’re really open weave so you can get them wet and shake ‘em dry. And the airflow is really there so there’s not a lot of chance for bacterial growth.”

Eskritt said the idea came to her after hearing a story of a Winnipeg woman who died last year from exposure and cold weather.

“For me, I can’t be OK with a Canada where people are cold and starving and freezing to death,” she said. “We’re Winnipeg. This is a reality and has been since people have been here. We know winters are cold and we have to something to make sure people aren’t dying.”

Most of the mats will be donated to Augustine United Church (444 River Ave.) which runs a program during the winter. On nights when the temperature is below -10 C, the church opens its doors to anyone who needs a warm place to sleep. They currently have 15 mats, and Eskritt said that although beds would be ideal, additional mats would at least get visitors off the ground.

For those who don’t feel safe or aren’t able to sleep indoors, they will receive their own mat to take with them.

She said this is an easy way for people to get involved in helping the up to 3,000 homeless people in Winnipeg, whether by donating bags or making mats.

“A lot of people don’t have money right now. Everyone is struggling, except the people who aren’t struggling, and they’re not likely to care about homeless people. The people who care about homeless people are homeless people, and they don’t have a lot of money.”

For more information, visit 1justcity.ca