By Stacy W.
Meet the Maker
Hello, my name is Stacy Wiener, a long-time knitter and crocheter as well as an avid reader who loves the beach! I am the Founder of S.A.C.K. (Supporting A Community with Kindness), a 501c3 nonprofit organization where volunteers from all over the world knit/crochet/loom/sew sacks and then donate them (with a full size bar of soap in its original packaging) to homeless shelters, food pantries, veterans clinics, LGBTQ+ organizations, social service agencies and relief efforts. A tag containing a heartfelt message is attached to each soap sack. Since I started S.A.C.K. in 2017, over 300,000 soap sacks have been distributed globally!
Soap sacks are made with cotton/cotton blend yarn with a loop or drawstring. They can be used as a washcloth or a way to keep the bar clean between uses. These handmade sacks are simple to make but make a dramatic difference in the lives of people who receive them. They help to send a message of dignity, hope, compassion, health and love throughout people in underserved communities. They are the perfect project for any crafter!
My idea for S.A.C.K. sparked in 2017, while volunteering at a local food pantry. Clients would often ask for soap and other toiletries. Unfortunately, we rarely had these items on the shelves. I learned from another pantry volunteer that people cannot use food stamps to purchase essential items such as soap. I was absolutely shocked! How could this be possible?
In early September of 2017, I tweaked a soap sack pattern that I found on YouTube using inexpensive cotton yarn and filled them with soap. When I brought these soap sacks to local food pantries and homeless shelters, I was delighted by the reactions. Not only were the people tremendously grateful for the fresh bar of soap but they couldn’t believe that they got to keep the handmade sack. Small actions can truly make a huge difference!
Shortly after, friends and knitting/crocheting groups began offering to make sacks and collect soap. When a news article highlighting S.A.C.K. was featured in USA Today, it went viral. People from all over the United States wanted to be part of the S.A.C.K. community and a national (and later international) movement was launched!
I am immensely grateful to our thousands of volunteers worldwide. They freely give their time, talent and heart to make a difference in the lives of people in need. Our S.A.C.K. volunteers are true heroes!
Get involved
Sample patterns, tag page and additional information about S.A.C.K. can be found on our website, www.soapsacks.com. Please follow S.A.C.K. on Facebook (www.facebook.com/soapsack) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/soapsacks).
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at stacy@soapsacks.com
Donations of soap sacks, yarn and soap can be sent to: S.A.C.K., PO Box 33. Allenhurst, NJ 07711.
Monetary donations can be made via PayPal on our website. Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted and are tax deductible. We also have an Amazon Wishlist.
THANK YOU!!!
