Wolfpack Beds crochets sleeping mats for unhoused people

Nearly a dozen students sit in the 1911 Building and cut off the ends of plastic bags. They are taking part in the Wolfpack Beds project, which makes sleeping mats for the unhoused from plastic bags. 

The project was launched last spring by four social work students. One of them is Kelsey O'Connor, an NC State alum, who graduated in 2023.

“We had a class during our fall semester where we had to come up with a community project that we could realistically implement on a college campus,” O’Connor said. 

She said the students chose to launch a project for people in Raleigh who are unhoused. 

“The waiting list for shelters is just really large,” O’Connor said. “A lot of people aren't even able to get into shelters and have to sleep outside. … Our project doesn't really solve the root of homelessness, but it definitely could just help and kind of provide a better sleeping arrangement than the ground.” 

Melissa Cowen, a second-year studying social work and co-director of Wolfpack Beds, has seen the need firsthand. Cowen said she has worked for several food pantries where many unhoused people go. 

“A big thing that they always need is clothes or blankets, and just things to keep them warm or just comfortable at least,” Cowen said. 

Cowen said that's why she wanted to get involved when she learned about Wolfpack Beds.

Paola Ramirez Hernandez, a third-year studying social work, and director of the Wolfpack Beds project, said the students flatten the plastic bags out and then fold and cut them to create plastic yarn. 

“We have a closet full of plastic bags right now from last semester from teachers and staff and other people who wanted to drop some off,” Hernandez said. “But we do have three donation boxes: one in the Pride Center, one in the 1911 Building, first floor and then another one in the Career Development Center.”

Hernandez explained the process of how to make the bagged beds. She said to achieve a bed, you must flatten the bag out to be crocheted. She said the process is very tedious and takes 300 to 500 bags and 30 to 50 hours to complete. 

Initially, the project was only intended for students studying social work. However, Hernandez said she saw a high amount of interest inside and outside of NC State. 

“We saw the feedback that people from different majors, but also people who live in the Raleigh area were also interested, so we just opened it up to anybody,” Hernandez said. 

Hernandez said the project has around 30 active members. 

“Next semester, we're going to have a lot more meetings, probably biweekly or weekly to give other people chances to start or to continue their mat,” Hernandez said. 

Cowen said they want to develop their club in other ways.

“We are trying to become an organization,” Cowen said. “If you establish yourself as an organization on the State campus rather than just being a club, you get a lot more amenities.”

Students interested in Wolfpack Beds can find more information at @ncsuwolfpackbeds on Instagram.