Crochet for a Cause
Baltimore City has long struggled with high levels of homelessness and poverty. According to the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services, there are around 1,600 men, women, and children without a home on any given night in Baltimore. Unfortunately, because this estimate only includes people in shelters participating in official counts, the real number of homeless is likely much higher. But that’s not all, over 20% of Baltimore residents live below the poverty line. These staggering statistics make it clear that Baltimore needs solutions to support those without housing and those experiencing housing insecurity. One group in Baltimore is responding with an unlikely tool: crochet hooks.
Crochet for a Cause, a student-led organization at Loyola University Maryland, has been quietly making a small impact. The club combines creativity with compassion by crocheting bed mats, hats, scarves, and even blankets, all of which are donated to local charities and shelters through Loyola’s Center for Community, Service, and Justice (CCSJ). Their mission is simple: to use their passion for crochet to provide warmth and comfort to those in need.
The club meets weekly, as you enter the club room the sounds of Hell’s Kitchen fill the room as the members start crocheting. Each member begins crocheting something different. Some are making hats, while others are making blankets, all with the end goal of donating their work to someone in need.
One of the club’s signature projects is crocheting bed mats from plastic bags. Members collect clean, used bags, cut them into strips, and crochet them into durable, weather-resistant sleeping mats. These mats are especially helpful for individuals sleeping outdoors, as they provide a layer of insulation and protection from wet or cold ground.
The impact of Crochet for a Cause extends far beyond the items they produce. The club fosters a supportive environment for its members, many of whom say the act of crocheting helps them unwind from the stresses of daily life.
“Sometimes I don’t even crochet while I’m there. Sometimes I do homework, sometimes I just watch TV. It’s not set in stone what you have to do while you’re there (at the club meetings)” says Elena, one of the club’s Vice Presidents.
In response to people praising Crochet for a Cause:
“That made me really happy. To just know that I was actually having an impact and that people were actually enjoying the work that I’m putting in and it was really appreciated.” – Nima, VP of Crochet for a Cause
Crochet for a Cause welcomes anyone interested in joining their mission. Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or a complete beginner, the club provides tutorials and supplies to get you started. Donations of yarn, plastic bags, or finished items are also gratefully accepted.
In a city where homelessness is a growing challenge, Crochet for a Cause proves that small, thoughtful actions can create waves of change. Every stitch, every mat, and every scarf carries a message: that no one should be left out in the cold.
