By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

Members of the Dorcas Society for Lutheran Women’s Missionary League at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marion have been collecting plastic shopping bags from throughout the U.S. during the past year.

“We have people all over saving bags for us,” Irma Meisinger said.

One even came from New York, as evidenced by the receipt from a deli still in the bag, Ruth Lange said.

The bags are being made into sleeping mats for needy people in Haiti. Members discovered the project at a missionary league rally in fall 2010. Someone showed them how to make the mats, and they began soon after.

“We try to meet once a week on Thursday,” Meisinger said.

Making the mats is a labor-intensive process. Bags are cut into strips, which are then tied into long strands. Those strands are then crocheted into a 3-foot-by-6-foot mat, which can be folded in half and rolled up for carrying or storage.

“You have to use practically the largest one (crochet hook) you can get,” — size Q — Meisinger said.

Several member said they had tested the mats for comfort at home. The mats are noticeably more comfortable than lying on the hard floor or ground. Members hypothesized that the main advantage provided by the mats is to get off wet ground.

“It was unbelievable that they would use these to sleep on,” Meisinger said. “We are very blessed here that we have a nice comfortable bed and all.”

Each mat requires 500 to 700 plastic bags. With the number of bags required, members have a better idea how many colors and types of plastic bags are out there. White, dark gray, yellow, and blue are the most common colors, but there are many others.

Members have completed 14 sleeping mats since they began the project. Despite the time and effort required, they said they enjoy it because they have fun working together.