Family affair: Mats weaved from plastic bags help homeless

This paid piece is sponsored by Avera.

Plastic bags can have many second lives – for trash containers and dog-doody pickup to name a couple of examples.

But did you know they also can be sleeping mats?

Sara Fields, a customer service rep for Avera Health Plans, gives the bags new purpose to do just that with help from her “work family” and her “real family.”

She’s an example of how Avera employees spend time outside of work helping their communities thrive.

How discarded bags become something valuable

It takes about 500 plastic bags to make a mat. Fields customizes each one with her family based on raw materials. Thicker bags make heavier mats, best for men.

When her waste-removal service stopped accepting bags, she looked for ways to recycle them. She saw groups were making mats, reducing impact on the environment and resisting moisture, lice and mites. Making them includes gathering bags, flattening and preparing them, then weaving or crocheting.

Sara Fields’ son created this loom she uses when weaving mats.

“My son crafted a wooden loom for me. The mats are easy to make; anyone can do it,” she said. “When I make them, I pray, meditate and hope they make a little difference.” She uses the scraps from the bags as filler for other projects; nothing goes to waste.

What led her to help the homeless — and others

Fields’ motivation is rooted in compassion but also in reducing environmental impact. “I don’t want to see bags in our rivers hurting birds and fish,” she said.

When she finished her first mats, she shared them with anyone. At times, her family cautioned her to be careful. “We would go to parks in Sioux Falls, and there were just so many people in need,” Fields said. “I wanted to do more.” She now goes to the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House so she can get mats to people who need them.

Bill O’Loughlen, facility support technician at Avera Palm Place, prepares a big load of discarded plastic bags for Sara Fields to pick up. 

People would see the mats, touch them and realize their quality. “They couldn’t believe I was giving them away,” she added.

Her passion for helping others is rooted in both her Avera work and the mat construction. Avera backs her on both fronts.

“My team at work has always been supportive, donating bags and letting more Avera locations know about it,” she said. “Yet we need more donations and more helpers.”

To donate, contact Fields at [email protected].

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