Goodman Menders keep on sewing

By Alesia Mayfield, Eastside News

Have a pair of pants where the hem has become undone? The seams coming apart on that favorite stuffed animal? Goodman Menders are here for you. The group was at Goodman Community Center for several years before the coronavirus pandemic, then they came back in 2023 due to popular demand. Now they’re busier than ever.

Organizers Nancy Didion and Barb Wink say that being part of Goodman Menders is giving something back that makes people feel good.

“It is a fun, rewarding volunteer job,” Didion said. “We sew for everyone in the community without charge.”

“Giving items back to the patron with new life and with simple fixes, (and also) not adding to our landfills (is about paying it forward),” Wink said. “Also, the patrons show extreme thankfulness to have someone fix items for them.”

Didion and Wink met when both were part of The Sewing Machine Project at Hawthorne Library. Wink said that coming to Goodman was an important addition to mending in Madison. The group mends during Fritz Food Pantry hours on Tuesday mornings, 9-11:30 a.m., and Wednesday evenings, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Both women agree that the food pantry and Goodman have been extremely supportive. Francesca Frisque, director of food resources at GCC, was instrumental in getting Goodman Menders back after COVID-19. Wink oversees the supplies and Didion sets up the scheduling and handles communications. Having supplies on-site at Goodman is an advantage for them because the menders do not have to bring anything.

Didion has posted flyers at various places around the east side and has also promoted Goodman Menders in various east side neighborhood newsletters. Word-of-mouth has also been tremendous in keeping Goodman Menders busy.

There are usually three or four menders working within a two-hour window each session. Because of that short time, patrons are limited to two items that need mending to guarantee that the projects will be completed. Patrons wait as their items are being fixed. More complicated sewing like zippers isn’t done. In addition to hemming and fixing stuffed animals, Goodman Menders repair sheets and towels, sew patches onto clothes, and fix backpacks. Though Goodman Menders operate during food pantry hours, about half the patrons are community members not there for the pantry.

Goodman Menders are looking for more volunteers. Members need to know how to mend, use a sewing machine and be available during shift times.