Chip Bag Project's 4th Annual Warmth Kit Drive

Martin Luther King Jr day has been recognized as a federal holiday since 1986. Schools are closed and most people are off work. The day has become a well needed moment of reprieve from the cold weather. There are others who attend programs dedicated to black history and the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. Volunteer work is another Martin Luther King Jr day tradition that exists in our community.

The Chip Bag Project has successfully fulfilled that tradition, with its fourth annual warmth kit filling and give away. The organization gathers volunteers and donors to create warming kits for the nomadic and displaced people of our community. Warming kits include things like hats, gloves, socks, body warmers and jackets. Donations for blankets and toiletries were also accepted.

"Our goal is to put together a thousand warming kits for our nomadic and displaced friends. We are phasing out the terminology of homeless. The volunteers are great! They're making it easy for us to pack and distribute the kits. Our goal is to be done by three. When we first started this it was only the team. The turnout of helpers sped up the entire process. It means we can achieve so much more!" Project Manager O'lola Adewole explains after consulting with volunteers.

This year volunteers flowed through the Love Building early. Fighting the single digit weather to show up for who needed it most. Mountains of hats, gloves, and socks were available to stuff into bags. So many warming kits got filled that it was hard to see the floor between all the filled boxes. The system was flawless and the people involved did a great job of keeping it that way.

"I feel this is the best drive we have had so far. Last year the goal was five hundred. Halfway through today we were running out of supplies and hitting a thousand. We got more stuff that way!

Once it's all done we're hitting the bus and train stations, and anywhere a cold person in need will be! It's been a swift success and that's all due to our community support! The bigger the community the faster we can get the job done!" Communication Engagement Officer Allante Steele proudly boasted before returning to his post.

Eradajere Oleita founded The Chip Bag Project in the Winter 2020 and is also Co-Director. The chip bag project collects single use mylar products like chip bags, pet food bags and candy bags. The upcycled mylar is transformed into sleeping bags and blankets for displaced and nomadic individuals. The purpose of The Chip Bag Project is to create a space for conversations about circular economy. The goal is to constantly work to create positive change in the community through compassionate sustainability.

Please visit the website listed below for more information, upcoming events, or to donate to the cause.

https://www.chipbagproject.com