Caring for the Needy

A-Z Challenge = N= Needy

Doing a search for the definition of needy I found this:

: not having enough money, food, etc., to live properly

: needing a lot of attention, affection, or emotional support

Certainly someone curled up on the sidewalk is in need of help.  It's hard to get through a day when you don't see some kind of need, see someone in need.  None of us have the ability to supply all the needs of those in need, but we can do what we can do.........one day at a time, one kindness at a time, one donation at a time.

We here on Bridge and Beyond care for the homeless and the needy.  In addition to caring for the homeless that live in the elements, and the shelters, we care for children in need at schools in low income areas.  Many of these children are homeless, or come from a home one step above being homeless.  We supply hats, scarves, and mittens to schools so those children in need can join their classmates and go outside for recess vs staying in.........being shunned because they are different.

There are so many needs, surely there is something each of us can do to help.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Knitted, Crocheted or Loomed Mittens Needed

A-Z Challenge = M= Mittens
Mittens are an item we never get enough of.  Mittens aren't the easiet things to knit (as shown in the picture) or crochet shown below.

There are many styles, these are just 2.  Because they're not the easiest to knit or crochet we just have a harder time donating lots of them; but we continue to strive.  We also accept fingerless gloves/wrist warmers.

Each item we collect and donate has it's tab across the top of the blog with necessary information regarding size, colors, and fibers types to use as well as what to avoid.  We also list some patterns that people find helpful to use.  If you can help us with knitting, crocheting, or looming mittens and or writst warmers...........Please do!  Every shelter asks us for more then we've been able to donate in the past.  They are needed for folks living under the bridge, as well as the kids in schools with need.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Knitting Looms

A-Z Challenge =L= Loom
These are plastic colorful looms in 4 sizes with the special hook one needs along with a darning needle.  This is what you typically get in a kit.  The kits are inexpensive and easy to use.  They produce knitting and have become very popular.  They're a good way to knit, if you don't know how to knit, as well as just something different to do.  When they first became popular they were primarily used to knit hats.  Some looms are plastic, some are wood and some are super flexible.

The size is consistent regardless of what brand you buy.  The knitting gauge is based on the space between the pegs.  Some folks even make their own looms.  Now looms come in ovals, rectangles, and stripes in addition to these basic circles.  People have tweaked patterns and you can make scarves, mittens and more on them.  We have those who donate to Bridge and Beyond for the Homeless using these types of looms.  They are generally used with double yarn, or bulky yarn and many feel the knitting goes faster on looms then hand knitting with needles.  I confess, that while I have a set of looms (have for years), I've not really used them.  Perhaps someday I'll give them a try.

When we were kids, we used looms...looms made from wooden spools of empty thread.  Yes!  I am that old that I remember wooden spools of thread, in fact I still have a few, lol  You could pound small nails evenly around a large wooden spool and for a hook.........we used a diaper pin.  See told you I was old....diaper pins, mothers today don't even have any on hand.  All we could make back then was a cord, but we did it for hours at a time.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.