By Kristen Pizzo
For one group of friends, showing care for those experiencing homelessness was as easy as turning their shared sewing hobby into a project for a local women’s shelter.
The Salvage Stitchers, made up of Gina, Lyn, Jan, and Nan, met in a NW Portland yoga class and bonded over a shared love of sewing. At Lyn’s suggestion, they decided to make tote bags for the women staying at Bethanie’s Room overnight shelter. True to their name, the group used recycled fabric to craft each bag, scrounging up scraps from their home collections and rescuing additional pieces from the Goodwill bins. Armed with an assortment of repurposed materials, the ladies spent two months sewing the tote bags and hand-quilting pockets for each one.
Thanks to donations collected from family and friends, the group was able to fill the totes with snacks and hygiene items including facial wipes, body lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, lip balms, cotton swabs, and antiseptic packets. Bee, a friend from the group’s yoga class, contributed hand-painted watercolor cards with messages of love. A painting was placed in the pocket of each of the 44 bags the Salvage Stitchers gifted to guests at Bethanie’s Room.
“It felt so good to be doing something purposeful in this crazy world,” Gina said. “Just thinking of bringing a smile to a woman’s face is the best.”
The group enjoyed the project so much that they’re already dreaming up another.
A guest staying at Bethanie’s Room models a tote bag donated by the Salvage Stitchers.
“We found a little pattern for small drawstring bags to give during Christmas or birthdays,” Gina shared.
The Stitchers also plan to support Bethanie’s Room during the holidays by donating a share of proceeds from their booth at the Walters Artisan Pop-up Shop in Hillsboro. They’ll be selling bags, wine carriers, and Jan’s fabric wall art.
“I’m always hearing people ask why someone is homeless, like it’s their fault. We are all very few steps away from being homeless unless you are very wealthy,” said Gina on her motivation to help. “We are seeing more of us grey-haired ladies out there. I hope this inspires someone else to think in a way that can help.”
If sewing and quilting aren’t your thing, Bethanie’s Room welcomes donations of homemade breakfast pastries and hand-packed sack lunches. Both are excellent opportunities to gather some friends and bond over making a difference, all on your own schedule.
For the breakfast donations, Bethanie’s Room will need 25-30 items. The sack lunches may include PB&J or deli-meat sandwiches, soft fruits (to accommodate guests with dental issues), and a nonperishable snack. Sign up under ‘Volunteer Opportunities’ on Bethanie’s Room home page.
