Sheldon, Iowa — The plastic bags that you use to take your groceries home may end up as a park bench at the Sheldon Prairie Arts Historical Park. And they’re accepting the bags until May 1.
Prairie Arts Historical Park grant writer Colleen Lemkuil says that they can get a grant to fund benches, picnic tables, and waste receptacles made from the bags to be placed in the park. She says The Iowa Grocery Industry Association cooperates with Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls, Iowa, Inc. by sending them used bags to become usable furniture. As part of the possible grant, the Prairie Arts Council is promoting recycling of plastic bags and the use of reusable bags.
Lemkuil says the grants were supposed to be announced on Earth Day this past Saturday, but she says those in charge told her that they had so many requests that the grant awards will be announced on May 1. She says that means the Prairie Arts Council is still campaigning and still waiting.
Sheldon Fareway Manager Brent Kraft, and Store Director of the Sheldon Hy-Vee store, Jerad Welter have lent their support to the grant as well.
She says they hope to put one of the benches in front of the Baker Township School, and one by the Harold Tuttle Art Gallery. She says they even have some donors ready to pay for the name “Harold Tuttle” to be written on the bench in honor of Tuttle’s 90th birthday in July. Tuttle was a long time Sheldon art teacher and serves as the Prairie Arts Council President and Baker School Renovation manager.
Lemkuil also says that if people want to buy and donate a bench, that is a possibility as well. For more information, you can email Lemkuil at stancolleen37@gmail.com or call 515-229-4619. To contribute to the Baker Township School Front Entry Project, you can send a check to Prairie Arts Council, Box 61, Sheldon, Iowa 51201.
Photo Caption: Sheldon Fareway Manager Brent Kraft (left) receives bags from Harold Tuttle (center) at the Sheldon Fareway store and (right photo) Store Director of the Sheldon Hy-Vee store, Jerad Welter at the plastic bag recycling area at Hy-Vee. Click the picture to enlarge.
