Bags for Change - evolving each year

Bags for Change Project 2018

This project was to bring together predominately women and girls to educate about the replacing of single-use plastic with environmentally sustainable bags. 

Community service empowers people through expanding social networks.  This no-cost project provided an inclusive environment for women and girls to meet. 

Club members wished to highlight the re-purposing of materials for bags as replacements for single-use plastic bags. 

We felt the use of new material was not as environmentally friendly as reusing neglected materials found in our homes. 

We found a suitable recipient of the bags in St Vinnies, who regularly hand out food hampers to the disadvantaged.  

As a result, Production Days were held as a part of our Learn & Laugh sessions encouraging community members to get involved as well.  

All materials for this project had to be from old clothing, linen or neglected dress materials to make people aware of the advantages of responsible recycling and reusing.   

From our cupboards, re-purposed items that may have ended up in landfill have now been reinvented into a useful daily product. 

With the on-going need for supply of these bags we have made a conscientious decision to make this an on-going project with the long-term goal of other community organisations and members banding together to help provide as many bags as we can produce.   

Soroptimist International Mackay & Mackay Women’s Centre

Bags for Change Project 2017

 Click HERE for our video summary

Aim:

To showcase the creative abilities of the Mackay Active Women’s Group, provide an opportunity to market and achieve financial gain for The Mackay Women's Centre from these activities.

Benefits:

All members involved are excited about being able to give back to an organisation that promotes an environment which supports and facilitates the empowerment of women.

Project Review:

The project started off as "bags for change" and evolved to include "slippers for stepping up" and "socks for support" (News Flash: we are getting the ahead of latest fashions with bun beanie)

As a part of the project the Mackay Active Women’s Group produced bags, socks, slippers and beanies using the donated wool, cotton and other craft items. 

Soroptimist, Leanne Simpson has been liaising with Women’s Counsellor, Margie Newport to ensure all members have felt engaged in the project.  The group have produced over 100 items, taken part in a photo shot for the promotional posters and labelled bags with its own personal name and description and prepared the point of sale signs and the large photo frame.

The “bags for change” then headed out into the world.

Porters Community Markets (Mackay Active Women and Soroptimist Members)

Boot Sale with Leanne (everywhere she had a Tai Chi class)

Mackay High Students with Diverse Needs class – named some of the bags and designed flyer

CQR Careers Expo (Students from the MHS set up stall and handed out flyers)

Mackay Showground Markets (Mackay Active Women and Soroptimist Members)

Bags for Dignity Project (Soroptimist Int Mackay purchased 9 “bags for change”)

North Mackay High School – packed Bags for Dignity - (SI Mackay donated 42 bags for this cause)

“bags for change” @ Mackay Women’s Centre Stall.

Project Outcome:

Financial Benefits:

Total benefit to Mackay Women’s Centre - $1370.50

“bags for change”  - $990.50

SI Mackay contribution - $380.00 (market stall costs and part of fridge, cost of delivery and removal of old fridge)

Uses to date:

Fridge for the Sharon Alcorn Room

Serving Plates

Drink Dispensers

Cheque for $249.50 for the Mackay Active Women’s Group Activities (including International Womens Day 2018)

Community Benefits:

The successful bringing together of a number of organisations with a common cause to help the advancement of quality of life for Women and girls.