Introducing Goodwill Weaving

Where potholder loom weavers connect around philanthropy

The following article celebrates the weaving community that makes potholder philanthropy so impactful, shares the history of Goodwill Weaving, and concludes with an invitation to join the Goodwill Weaving potholder philanthropy community on Facebook. You may even see yourself in this story – check it out!

Welcome!

About five years ago, something new began to take shape in the potholder-weaving community: donating handwoven potholders to be shared alongside Thanksgiving food boxes at local food pantries. It felt like a stretch at the time—but one worth trying.

While the weaving and sharing were going on, I was also volunteering at a food pantry that opened in January 2020 with plans to serve about 40 families in its first year. When the shutdown came in March, that number quickly grew to more than 200 families. By Thanksgiving, organizers were working hard to plan for, assemble, and distribute 250 special holiday food boxes.

I was also struggling financially during that period, and I knew firsthand how disheartening it can feel to receive food (from other pantries) that felt discarded—damaged packaging, moldy produce, partially consumed, and long-expired items—dignity in food quality matters. The pantry I worked with understood that and worked carefully to provide the best quality food possible – no partially consumed or moldy produce here! Still, I felt a tug to add something more to the Thanksgiving boxes—something that would highlight the pantry’s special care, with an emphasis on the warmth and care of human connection.

Of course, I couldn’t possibly make 250 potholders myself, let alone afford the loops. So I asked the weaving community for help. I reached out to weavers on FB to request their excess potholders. I promised to hand them out personally with the Thanksgiving boxes—masked, yes, but with a smile in my eyes, a friendly voice, and a story about where each handmade gift came from. I would try to embody the care and connection each potholder represented.

Five years later, more than 4,000 potholders have been shared through this one effort, along with over two dozen looms (both Pro and Traditional sizes), hooks, and at least 100 pounds of loops. Those looms and loops support free potholder-weaving workshops and nonprofits as they launch their own in-house weaving programs. 

Along the way, something else began to stand out. By 2025, potholder philanthropy had noticeably increased throughout the weaving community—and with it, a desire to share a new kind of ideas, resources, and successes.

More weavers were quietly creating their own potholder-giving efforts—supporting food pantries, pet shelters, and other community needs throughout the year. Some preferred to keep their giving personal and low-key. Others were happy to share their purpose clearly and request support. At least one person was clear about asking for potholders to sell to raise cash for a worthy cause. I also began to notice recurring questions:

What kinds of bags work best? Are bags necessary? Do labels matter? Does material or color theme matter? How do others organize donations?

With the intent of helping to promote individual efforts, I’d occasionally reach out to weavers to invite them to share their stories through the Thanksgiving Potholder Project’s blogs. Many expressed appreciation along with a desire to remain independent—not connected to any other website or seasonal project. That made sense. And it raised important questions:

Is there a need for a shared space where weavers can post potholder-based philanthropy requests, ideas, and stories—without giving up their independence?

An open-ended, year-round space to exchange resources, learn from one another, and celebrate generosity, while remaining self-directed?

I began posting blogs to help with some of the potholder philanthropy questions. While the response was encouraging and the information was clearly received as helpful, it felt like it wasn’t enough. I’m only one source – and this one source was known to be focused on a seasonal, Thanksgiving effort, not offering a space for year-round, open-ended potholder philanthropy.

There are so many creative weavers in the wider community, with many more ideas and resources than just one person can provide; surely they’d share if only they had a place to do so!

These questions and observations led to the creation of Goodwill Weaving. The name is borrowed from a special program hosted by Deetzie Walker of Monkton, MD.

Two Principles That Keep Goodwill Weaving Grounded

These principles guide how we show up for one another and help protect the clarity and generosity that make this space work.

1. Collaboration over competition—always.
Members commit to supporting one another’s efforts, even when those efforts occur at the same time. While local events rarely overlap, requests for contributions shared online can appear to overlap. That perception matters. Goodwill Weaving asks members to respond to overlapping events with collaboration rather than competition, recognizing that generosity for each effort expands when all efforts are mutually supported.

2. Clarity when requesting donations.
Requests for contributions should be abundantly clear. Contributors need to feel confident that they know exactly who and what they are contributing to. Please include the basics: who is organizing the effort, what is being requested, where the gifts will be shared, when they’re needed, why the effort matters, how contributions will be used, and whether you can provide a receipt.

Clear communication is essential to success and supports a healthy community.

One potential challenge

When similar efforts happen concurrently, one practical challenge can arise: generous contributors may unintentionally send items to the wrong effort, believing they supported a different request. This has happened before (Thanksgiving 2025 taught us a lot). 

To reduce confusion, members are asked to describe their efforts clearly and, when working in the same space or timeframe as others, to communicate and collaborate about how the wider community can see that multiple giving opportunities are underway. Sharing information side by side helps contributors understand the different options and make informed choices—an essential part of sustaining goodwill and success throughout the community.

Bottom line: in the spirit of community care, each organizer shares an unspoken, often unrecognized part in helping the weaving community see those distinct opportunities clearly—especially during high-volume seasons like Thanksgiving or other holidays.

Like some of the most impressive double-weaves, this community of crafters has a way of making shared support look easy.

In upcoming posts, I’ll share more about how Goodwill Weaving got its name, why the group guidelines matter, how to communicate for collaboration when events overlap, and some of the most heartwarming weaver stories gathered over the last five years of potholder philanthropy. Just wait until you learn more about the blind and visually impaired communities! Oh, and the multi-generation weaving family – it all began with their grandfather back in … 

For now, consider this an open invitation and a warm welcome to share your past potholder philanthropy successes, to let the community know what’s coming up for you, and to let us all know how we can support you at Goodwill Weaving. 

Sharing your weaving matters.

Please use the Goodwill Weaving space to show us what you’re doing, ask for what you need, and celebrate the goodwill being shared.

Namaste.