Volunteers gathered around tables preparing plastic bags, making plarn, and crocheting sleeping mats during the Making Mats for the Homeless ministry at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church. Finished mats and ministry materials are displayed as part of the church’s outreach and community service efforts.

Volunteers at Pleasant Grove UMC work together to transform recycled plastic bags into sleeping mats for neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Making Mats for the Homeless

At Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, outreach often begins with simple acts of service and grows into meaningful ministry. Through the Making Mats for the Homeless ministry, volunteers transform recycled plastic grocery bags into sleeping mats for people experiencing homelessness. What begins as discarded plastic becomes something practical, compassionate, and hope-filled.

This ministry brings together church members, friends, neighbors, and partner churches in a shared mission of service. Volunteers cut bags, prepare plarn (plastic yarn), crochet mats, organize donations, and work side-by-side in fellowship while serving others in need.

As mats are created, relationships are built, prayers are shared, and everyday materials are transformed into acts of love and compassion.

A Ministry of Compassion and Community

Making mats is more than a project—it is a ministry of fellowship, creativity, teamwork, and outreach. Volunteers of different ages and backgrounds gather regularly to help with each step of the process. Some flatten and cut bags, some prepare plarn, and others crochet completed mats by hand.

These mats help provide comfort and insulation for people experiencing homelessness while also encouraging environmental stewardship through recycling and reuse.

Each completed mat represents:

  • Compassion in action
  • Hands-on service
  • Community partnerships
  • Fellowship and encouragement
  • Faith lived out through love

Through ministries like this, Pleasant Grove UMC seeks to be a Beacon of Light in Pleasant Grove, western Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond.

How the Mats Are Made

Plastic grocery bags are collected, flattened, cut into loops, connected into plarn, and crocheted into durable sleeping mats.

Every step matters, and every volunteer plays an important role.

Learn More About the Process

Visit the companion page:

The Steps Involved

Explore photos and explanations showing how plastic bags are transformed into sleeping mats through the work of many helping hands.

Sharing the Story at Homecoming

During Homecoming, Pleasant Grove UMC created a special ministry display showing every step of the mat-making process. Visitors could see how recycled bags become sleeping mats through teamwork, creativity, and compassionate outreach.

The display highlighted: Ministry Tables

  • Bag collection
  • Cutting and sorting
  • Making plarn
  • Crocheting mats
  • Finished mats ready for outreach
  • Volunteer involvement and community partnerships

Ministry in Action

Volunteers helping to make the mats: Photos- Page 1

Throughout the year, volunteers gather to work on mats together during scheduled ministry sessions. These gatherings provide opportunities for fellowship, conversation, encouragement, and service while helping neighbors in need.

Many hands help make this ministry possible, including volunteers from Pleasant Grove UMC and members of other churches and community groups who work together in compassion and service.

Meeting Times

Making Mats for the Homeless Work Sessions

    • First Thursday of each month — 6:00 PM
    • Third Friday of each month — 12:30 PM

    New volunteers are always welcome. No experience is necessary, and there are many ways to help.

    Donations and Ongoing Needs

    This ministry depends on donations and community support.

    Ongoing Needs

    • Clean plastic grocery bags
    • Volunteers to help prepare bags and plarn
    • Volunteers who crochet mats
    • Storage bins and organization supplies (if applicable)

    Donations may be dropped off at the church office or designated collection areas.

New volunteers are always welcome. No experience is necessary, and there are many ways to help.

Why This Ministry Matters

Every mat tells a story of service, compassion, and community. What may seem like a simple plastic bag becomes part of something much larger—a reminder that small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference.

Through ministries like Making Mats for the Homeless, Pleasant Grove UMC continues to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously while helping neighbors in practical ways.

Related Pages

Learn More

Learn more about Christian discipleship and spiritual growth through worship, study, prayer, service, and daily faith at PGUM.org.

Together, neighbors become family as we love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.