MIAMI – In the state of Florida, over 27,000 individuals are experiencing the harsh reality of homelessness. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Florida ranks third in the nation for the number of people living on the streets.
However, there is a glimmer of hope in South Florida, where a program aims to offer assistance by providing a soft place to sleep for those in need.
Covenant Living of Florida has found an innovative solution to repurpose common grocery bags. Instead of letting them accumulate, they are transformed into sleeping mats.
Every Friday morning, residents come together to create a “plan,” a combination of plastic and yarn, by connecting and crocheting the grocery bags. The result is a comfortable mat, allowing homeless individuals to avoid sleeping on hard concrete or benches.
Dianne Bowman, a resident at Covenant Living, highlights the significance of the mats, stating that they offer a more comfortable alternative for those without a proper place to rest. These mats, measuring 2.5ft wide and 6ft long, require approximately 650 plastic bags to complete.
Don Roth, a friend of Covenant Living of Florida, shares a heartwarming success story. He met an unemployed and homeless man one day who was deeply impacted by receiving one of these mats.
The act of kindness made the man feel cared for and valued, giving him a fresh perspective on life. Thanks to the mat and the support he received, he was able to find a job and a place to live, illustrating the program’s main purpose.
Once the mats are crafted, Covenant Living donates them to Hope South Florida, an organization dedicated to rehabilitating the homeless population. This endeavor is a true labor of love, as people come together and spend quality time for the greater good of their community.
