Mission 4: Welcome Home (MISSION FAIL: this happens; we can try again at a later date)


The Farmworker Housing Development Corporation (FHDC) supports low-income farmworkers by providing stable, safe and affordable housing.

Oregon farmworkers and their families are traditionally housed in labor camps. A six-member family typically lives in a one-room uninsulated shack the size of a walk-in closet; two bunk beds placed against the walls with enough space for one person to stand in-between them; a hot plate on a wooden box placed in front of the beds next to the door.

In response to these poor living conditions, the FHDC was established by a coalition of nonprofit organizations and individuals. Their first housing complex, Nuevo Amanecer (New Dawn), was completed in 1994. It was met with fierce opposition by community leaders who feared the integration of farmworkers and their children into local neighborhoods and towns.

Today, the FHDC owns 10 housing complexes in six locations and provides safe, affordable and respectful housing to 1,300 adults and children. Colorful murals decorate each complex depicting the cultural heritage of the tenants.

However, FHDC residents face many challenges. More than 50% percent of all residents are food insecure. 76% percent don’t have health insurance. And the average life expectancy for migrant farmworkers is 49 years. 

To alleviate these stressors, the FHDC also offers support services. Children are eligible for free preschool and year-round after school activities including homework assistance. Families are connected to local food banks. Health and dental clinic vans arrive at the complexes twice a year. Adults are offered employment and skills training. Culturally relevant music and dancing are taught regularly. 

The FHDC would like to give welcome baskets to each family that moves into one of their housing complexes. They are teaching the families about sustainability and would like them to receive cloth napkins, reusable snack bags and reusable beeswax food wraps. 

There are approximately four million migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the United States and over 35,000 farmworkers in Oregon. Whenever you eat in the United States, your food has most likely passed through the hands of a farmworker. All of us—including your dinner table—depend on their hard work. Let’s welcome them home.

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Your mission should you choose to accept it: 

Make one or more reusable snack bags, napkins and/or beeswax food wraps from your scrap fabric to be included in welcome baskets for FDHC farmworker residents.
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Deadline
This mission failed. We will try again at a later time. Go sewing army!

Mandatory Supplies
-Your scrap fabric!
-Velcro (for snack bags)
-Beeswax (for food wraps)

Types of Items
-Snack bags of any size: S, M, L; rectangle or square-shaped.
-No plastic liners need to be used for snack bags! They can be made entirely from fabric.
-Napkins of any size; rectangle or square-shaped.
-Beeswax food wraps of any size: S, M, L; square-shaped

Guidelines & Restrictions
-If your handmade creation doesn't feel worthy as a gift to your family and friends, then it should stay at home.
-Don't stress about perfection.

Resources/Ideas
-Explore the internet:
           Beeswax food wraps
           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_bsxrqAF-s
           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ85FZ0Ah60
           Snack Bags
           https://thediymommy.com/sew-a-diy-reusable-snack-bag/
           https://wholefully.com/tutorial-reusable-snack-bags/
           https://closetcasepatterns.com/reusable-snack-bags/

-Host a beeswax food wrap-making party!
-Host a cloth napkin-making party!
-Host a snack bag-making party!
-YOU are a creative ninja: think of other ways to get your sewing friends involved in this mission!

Shipping Address
Ship your completed snack bags, napkins and/or beeswax food wraps to this address:


And don't forget to add The People's Sewing Army in your return address! If you live in the Portland/Woodburn area, you can also hand-deliver your snack bags/napkins/beeswax food wraps to their central office.

Supplies & Financial Contributions
If you feel compelled to further support the The Farmworker Housing Development Corporation, a financial contribution in any amount is most helpful for a nonprofit. There is a 'Donate' button on their website. 

Share the Love
Share your makes with the army and world by posting a picture on Instagram using the hashtag #thepeoplessewingarmy. (Hint: to make your creation stand out, photograph it against a white wall and/or on top of a white piece of paper.)

IMPORTANT: Final Step!
Via Instagram, DM @thepeoplessewingarmy with this specific information (it is vital to track our progress and means everything for our success--please do not skip this final step!):
1) the number of snack bags, napkins, and/or beeswax food wraps made;
2) the combined weight of your made items. You can weigh at post office before packaging or approximate weight on home scale.

Questions? Refer to @thepeoplessewingarmy on Instagram. Questions will not be answered on the blog.

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