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Sarasota mom reuses plastic bags to make quilts for those in need

She hopes to make hundreds by the end of year
Posted at 4:09 PM, Feb 27, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-27 21:18:55-05

SARASOTA, Fla. — A Sarasota mom is reusing thousands of grocery bags for two very important reasons.

“I keep them from getting into the ocean. Also, I’m hoping to help those less fortunate,” said Penn.

Michele Penn isn't just keeping the bags out of the ocean, she crochets them into mats or quilts for people in need. Like those living with homelessness.

"They are always like you are just giving this to me? You made that with your own hands?,” said Penn.

She got the idea from a YouTube video and she has made about seventy of the quilts over the past year. Penn is enlisting the help of church groups to help spread the idea.

“My goal is to teach other people how to do it, so they can teach people how to do it,” said Penn. "You may not be able to get them off the street, but you can get them off the ground."

If you are interested in donating bags you can message the group on Facebook "Bags to Beds."