Transforming used dog food bags into treasure has become a personal mission for one local senior.
Sharon Therrian of Romeo is founder of Tote Bags of Love, a nonprofit that gives filled repurposed bags to the homeless, needy children, veterans and active military, senior citizens and others. Tote Bags of Love has donated 3,000 bags since Therrian started the 501c3 charity in 2014.
The organization has provided bags to McRest, Oakland County Head Start, Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica, St. Margaret of Scotland Church in St. Clair Shores, and other organizations.
Therrian founded the nonprofit after she volunteered to make a few bags on her own. The demand for the totes grew and before long Therrian had a growing nonprofit organization on her hands. “I’m a lucky woman and I cannot express to you how good it makes you feel to help others,” she said.
Tote Bags of Love collects used animal feed bags and then volunteers, lead by Therrian, transform them into weatherproof totes. These bags are filled with various personal hygiene products and other basic necessities and then donated to charities that assist the homeless.
“Not only are we helping people, but we’re also helping the environment by turning something that would otherwise be trash into something useable,” Therrian said.
Donated material is sewn into multipurpose bags which serve as either backpacks, cinch bags or totes that hang on walkers, wheelchairs or strollers. These bags are made from discontinued upholstery samples that Therrian receives from furniture stores.They’re filled with everything from school supplies to hygiene products.
In order to put together so many bags Therrian hosts production parties. Throughout the years, she’s sponsored events at the Sterling Heights Senior Center and at other locations such as senior living communities. In April, she hosted her first production event in several months at the Washington Township Municipal Building.
Therrian has had several health issues in recent years, and, as a result, had to take a hiatus from production of the totes. She was thrilled to host her “welcome back” party last month, and hopes to add more to her schedule soon.
At production events, volunteers who know how to sew use machines to construct the bags. Those who cannot sew can prepare, cut, and sort animal feed bags or upholstery samples. Therrian is a seamstress and sews at the events as well.
Therrian brings all the necessary supplies to production events, including heavy sewing machines. To host future events, she needs volunteers able to help move the machines and heavy totes from her minivan into the building. She hopes to host all future parties at senior centers.
“I think it’s important to give the seniors a purpose and they really enjoy working at the production parties,” Therrian said.
In addition, Therrian is in need of supplies to fill the totes. She takes donations and also hosts fundraisers in order to buy items. Her next fundraiser is set for Oct. 7 at the Wyndham Garden in Sterling Heights.
For information on Tote Bags of Love, visit their website at ToteBagsofLove.org, or contact Therrian at 586-914-7744 or ToteBagsofLove@gmail.com.