This 
year instead of collecting food as their community service project, Webster Elementary School is collecting plastic grocery bags to support Bags to Mats, a project where plastic bags are transformed into “yarn” and crocheted into sleeping mats to benefit local shelters and the homeless.
Webster’s bag collection starts November 1, 2019 and runs through November 25, 2019. Bags can be sent to school with Webster students or dropped off at the school office.
“This is a wonderful project where children and adults can help provide materials needed for sleeping mats so individuals in need to can weather the elements,” said Webster teacher Michelle Rennie. “The mats are constructed from plastic yarn made from the bags. The plastic mats make the ground more comfortable, are water-resistant and keep bugs away. They can be hosed off if they get dirty and are lightweight.”
It takes between 700 and 800 grocery bags to make one mat. The class collecting the most poundage will win a free recess. There is a mat on display in the Webster office area.
The bags collected by Webster will be donated to a group making the mats. The completed mats will go to Making a Difference in Illinois and St. Vincent DePaul in downtown St. Louis to be distributed to the homeless.