The Asbury in Mission group had a brunch fundraiser Feb. 19 in Asbury United Methodist Church, South Whitehall.

AIM supports various local, regional and international mission groups, and about every quarter, sponsors a brunch to help raise funds.

This was the first brunch since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group picked the Street Medicine Team to receive the funds. The team also hands out mats the Mat Ministry group makes.

The dual goals of the Mat Ministry are: helping neighbors who are sleeping outdoors to be more comfortable and keeping plastic bags out of landfills to protect the environment.

They are a group of volunteers from various churches and locations, mainly in the Lehigh Valley and Pottstown and Florida.

Asbury is one of the two founding member churches.

They have been operating since March 2020, and as of December 2023, have distributed 125 sleeping mats to the Lehigh Valley Street Medicine Team and the Reading Street Medicine Team.

The group also has donated warm socks and mylar emergency blankets to the Lehigh Valley Street Medicine Team and have inspired others to make mats.

Based on their example, several other groups have chosen to do a short-term sleeping mat service project.

Volunteers collect and clean, gently used grocery bags and turn them into “plarn,” made from plastic loops.

Then the plarn is crocheted or woven into sleeping mats.

Mats are delivered to the Lehigh Valley Street Medicine Team for distribution to those in need.

The group also tries to raise awareness to the needs of the homeless in the community.

There is a collection box outside, under the portico, when they are low on bags.

The No. 1 need of the ministry is volunteers to help make plarn and create mats.

Donations to the Street Medicine Team in the Lehigh Valley can be made through Valley Health Partners.