At Pacific Springs, lending a hand often starts with something as simple as a grocery bag.
For nearly a decade, residents at Pacific Springs in Omaha have been transforming recycled plastic bags into Mission Mats, lightweight sleeping mats that provide a layer of comfort and protection for people experiencing homelessness. The mats are donated to Open Door Mission, where they are distributed to individuals in need throughout the Omaha area.
Mission Mats are handcrafted sleeping mats made from plastic grocery bags. Volunteers cut the bags into strips, loop them together to create "plarn," or plastic yarn, and then crochet the material into durable mats. Each mat typically measures 3 feet by 6 feet and requires hundreds of bags to complete.
The process takes time, patience, and teamwork, but residents say the effort is well worth it.
"These mission mats are made for the Open Door Mission because the homeless people find them comfortable to sleep on," said Joan Whitlock, an independent living resident at Pacific Springs. "They are bug-resistant, and you can wash them down with a hose."
The finished mats also roll up easily, making them convenient to carry and store. Most importantly, they provide an insulating barrier between a person and the ground.
The Mission Mats program is truly a group project. Each volunteer contributes in a different way, from collecting bags and preparing materials to crocheting the finished mats.
Joan estimates that seven to 10 residents regularly help create the plarn, while a smaller group of residents crochet the mats themselves.
Among those volunteers is her husband, Dave Whitlock, who handles much of the cutting and preparation work.
"We don't put anything into the garbage," Dave said. "All the trimming that I do with the handled bags and everything, I take that back to Hy-Vee. So, you're using the bag for a good purpose. Somebody sleeps on it, and nothing is discarded."
The project not only gives plastic bags a second life but also creates opportunities for residents to interact with one another.
"We have a good time," Joan said. "It's still a chance to get together."
For independent living resident Sue Smith, Mission Mats opened the door to a skill she never expected to learn. After moving to Pacific Springs five years ago, Sue was introduced to the project by another resident. Three years ago, she learned how to crochet specifically for Mission Mats.
"I had never crocheted before, so that was a whole new world for me," Sue said.
Since then, she has gone on to teach several other residents how to crochet and become one of the group's most prolific volunteers. Beyond the mats themselves, Sue values the friendships formed during the weekly gatherings.
"I love working with the group on Wednesday mornings here at Pacific Springs," she said. "It's like having a women's circle. We just sit and chat and have a good time."
The project has even become a multigenerational activity. Sue's granddaughters, ages 11 and 20, have learned the craft and often help when they visit.
Mission Mats is one of several service projects supported by Pacific Springs residents. Residents also prepare peanut butter sandwiches for Open Door Mission each week and create fleece blankets for community organizations throughout the area.
Together, these efforts reflect a spirit of generosity that remains strong at Pacific Springs.
For the residents who gather each week around tables covered with colorful plastic bags, the project is about more than creating mats. It's about helping neighbors, building relationships, and finding purpose in everyday moments.
"I'm just glad that we can help somehow with our little community here," Sue said. "And it's a lot of fun."
Through Mission Mats, Pacific Springs residents are proving that small acts of care can make a lasting difference, one bag, one stitch, and one mat at a time.