We are proud to support Every Day Action in North Hollywood, CA. Every Day Action was created and founded by Hillary Cohen and Samantha Luu, two Directors Guild of America Assistant Directors hoping to change the way Hollywood sees food waste. Both women, having worked over 10 years on sets, have continually asked why the leftover gourmet food from catering is thrown out and not donated. Now, this 501(c)3 organization takes perceived waste and redistributes it to the homeless throughout the Los Angeles area. Working closely with Film & Television sets, they take food that would have been thrown away and redistribute it directly to those in need in homeless camps and community fridges throughout the region.
Hillary Cohen challenges everyone to ask yourself, "What did you do today to help your community or someone in need?"
project must-knows
Please only send them items on their current needs list. Needs change quarterly and they don't have room to store extra items!
We are partnered with Every Day Action to provide them bags for the Personal Care Kits they put together to distribute to the homeless encampments in the LA area they serve. These kits contain essential personal care items like toothpaste, socks, toothbrushes, combs, feminine hygiene products, soap sacks, and other essentials.
1) Up-cycled Feed bags - Using the model of Every Day Action and taking perceived waste and redistributing it: Our primary bag patterns is an up-cycled bag that reclaims dog food or farm feed bags and transforms them in to reusable tote bags! We have videos below, here is the basic supply list and how to prep them for sewing:
Materials:
-
Feed bags (made of tarp-like plastic)
-
Washing machine
-
Tide with Oxyclean, Oxyclean, or baking soda
-
Strong thread (Bonded UV thread recommended) Heavy Duty/All Purpose Polyester ok.
-
Prepare the bags:
-
Cut off the top and bottom of the bag, do not cut down the sides.
-
Remove any remaining crumbs and food debris
-
-
Clean the feed bags:
-
Fill your washing machine tub as full as possible
-
You may have to override your tub's settings to ensure the tank is full
-
Use Tide with Oxyclean, or Oxyclean or Baking Soda with your detergent
-
Avoid harsh chemicals like Borax or bleach.
-
Hang the bags to dry and if there's still odor or oil, rewash
-
Tips:
-
If a bag doesn't survive the washing process, it wouldn't have survived as a bag for our partner. Toss it and be glad you didn't sew something that wouldn't last!
-
To clean a large number of bags or to involve kids, consider using a kiddie pool outside to wash them. Fill it with water, add dish soap and scrub the bags. Rinse thoroughly and hang.
By following these steps, you can transform old feed bags into durable and eco-friendly reusable bags to distribute with hygiene supplies to people experiencing homelessness.
2) Warm Winter Hats- Collecting beanies year round to distribute September 15th through January 30th.
-
Items are only for unsheltered adults and will be skewed 70/30 male.
-
Please use darker colors to hide dirt and not stand out, which can be important for safety.
-
Hats: Knit/Crochet or single layer fleece are best.
-
"Beanies" are okay here as the cold winters are not as harsh like some climates.
what are we crafting?
Item Requested | Craft Type | Quantity Requested | Quantity Still Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
Bags (Upcycled Feed Bags) | Sew | 50 | 26 |
Winter Hats | Sew/Knit/Crochet | 100 | 81 |
suggested patterns
All of our suggested patterns are now only on our Pattern Page. The buttons above will take you to the correct section of that page to assist you!
Remember: You are welcome to use ANY pattern you like for 99% of our projects. Our patterns are simply suggestions to help guide you and show you ideas of what our partner is interested in. If a pattern is required. That pattern will be listed on the partner page.
shipping guidelines
We are no longer collecting EDA donations at CCHQ
Please ship to them directly in California.
Every Day Action accepts shipping whenever you complete your donations. they make kits approximately 4 times a year so it is okay to save up what you are making and ship occasionally. Please include a care slip and be sure to write the date on it. Every Day Action can only accept USPS at this time because they only have a post office box.
Ship via United States Postal Service (USPS) to:
Every Day Action
PO Box 5591
North Hollywood, CA 91616