‘Bag Ladies’ Turn Old Grocery Bags to Sleeping Mats for People Experiencing Homelessness

By Carrie Sturn, Senior Marketing Director, Cedar Community

From recycled bags comes purpose and connection. On Monday mornings, as many as a dozen women gather around tables in the Bistro at the Cedar Ridge Campus of Cedar Community in West Bend, Wis., to flatten, cut, and knot plastic grocery bags. They call themselves the “Bag Ladies,” and they’re doing more than recycling old grocery bags. They’re supporting people experiencing homelessness—one plastic bag at a time—through the organization, Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge. 

Jean Gorman has lived in Cedar Community’s independent living for about three-and-a-half years. “I knew someday I was going to live here,” she says. In fact, Jean previously worked as an occupational therapist at Cedar Community for 10 years during the days of Rev. Riesch, the organization’s founder and first executive director. 

Gorman has always had a passion for helping others and is a self-described “volunteer queen,” having spent more than two decades working with organizations like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and at her parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Her work has often involved visiting individuals and families in need—sometimes in their homes, sometimes in more uncertain conditions. “We go in pairs,” she explains. “If someone needs help with rent, clothing, or utilities, we visit and figure out what we can do. People are just so grateful.”

That same volunteer spirit led Jean to a project that is making a meaningful difference—creating sleeping mats for people experiencing homelessness using recycled plastic bags.

From Bags to Beds

The idea came after hearing a presentation from Bob Burmeister, founder and president of Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge, who spoke about his work supporting people experiencing homelessness. Once homeless himself at 19, Bob now runs an organization that distributes essential items, including portable shower units.

Inspired by his message, Gorman and fellow resident Marilyn Brath decided to help. Together, they began making plastic bag mats—and before long, others joined them.  

The process begins with Brath, who jokingly calls herself the “dumpster diver,” as she gathers recycled plastic bags from local stores—with permission, of course. “Fortunately, we haven’t run into too many surprises in those plastic bags,” laughs Brath. “Maybe a little grease, but that’s it.” Additional bags are collected from neighbors. Each one is flattened, cut into strips—about two and a half inches wide—using a rotary cutter, and looped together to create long strands of plastic yarn. Those strands are rolled into balls and crocheted into durable mats. 

Each plastic mat measures roughly three by six feet and requires between 800 and 900 plastic bags. 

“It sounds like a lot,” Gorman says, “but once you get going, it adds up.” The mats are lightweight, waterproof, and provide insulation from the ground—giving people something dry to lie on. “We’ve also heard bugs don’t like the plastic mats, so that’s a plus as well,” she adds.

A group effort

The group meets weekly, typically drawing anywhere from a handful to possibly a dozen residents. Some cut bags, others connect strips, and a few crochet. Everyone contributes in their own way and on their own schedule. Since January of this year, the group has produced more than 13 mats.  

Brath especially values the camaraderie and social connection of the group. She, too, has a history of giving back and helping those in need—collecting and sending cards to local veterans and volunteering monthly at the Foster Closet. 

Both Gorman and Brath appreciate that they’re taking something that could be harmful to the environment and turning it into something useful and meaningful. 

More than mats

Volunteering their time to help others has also offered something valuable in return—connection. 

“There’s a lot of socializing,” Gorman says. “People come down, they talk, they laugh—it matters.” 

The weekly gathering is a chance to meet neighbors, share stories, and feel part of something bigger.

“You find out you’re helping someone who doesn’t have anything,” Brath says. “That makes a difference.”