The Socially Responsible Sweatshop of Kent

Our Mission

We are a group of sewists in Kent Ohio producing and selling beautiful and functional products. 100% of the proceeds is used to offer funds to local organizations that serve people who are at risk of food insecurity. We leave as little footprint as possible by using recycled fabrics and sewing supplies. We strive to be helpful to our brothers and sisters and be responsible to mother

earth. Find the Socially Responsible Sweatshop (SRS) at the Haymaker Farmers Market. Space donated for the SRS workshop is graciously provided by the Christ Episcopal Church of Kent on South Mantua Street. Our Vision

Extend our financial assistance to other causes that we see fit and feasible. Create education programs to teach the young and old how to use resources effectively and creatively. Our History

The SRS of Kent started out as just one well-known community activist trying to figure out how to help low-income area residents stretch their food budget. Mary Ann Kasper was helping former market manager Kelly Ferry check in clients who wanted to use the state’s program to buy vegetables and fruits at the market.

“But what I couldn’t get my head around was that these people really, really could use more than the $7 the state gives them per month,” Kasper said. Women, infants and children participants get only $7 a month to use for fruits and vegetables. Also, in Kent City Schools, nearly half the students qualify for free or reduced meals—a barometer of poverty nationally. Kasper listened as people approached the market table and figured out that it was hard, not just financially, but emotionally for individuals or families to come to the desk to use their card.

“We want everyone to feel just great about buying good food and wanted to help them get more,” Kasper said. At the start, it was just a little hand-sewn bag Kasper or her first volunteer, Jennifer Wang, handed to the family or person to keep their wooden “tokens” in, week-to-week. Just that little offering and a smile had the clients coming back, knowing they were welcomed,” Kasper said. “We knew right from the start, this is something we can do week-to-week to help fight poverty right here in Kent and in the area. Over a few months in the summer of 2013, Kasper—and now a growing group—birthed the SRS of Kent, designed to recycle unwanted fabric into items that could be sold locally, to individuals and to area shops. AN ONGOING HISTORIC REPORT:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wCnzLfVSvNED2WcoeaR0QloNRzrRNWbmSk1C17Vjjts/edit?usp=sharing










OUR FIGHT AGAINST FOOD INSECURITY AND COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Besides the below financial donations, tons of textile waste have been diverted from our landfills, and hours of service, education, and camaraderie have been experienced by our volunteers! Not all donations are listed, however, the annual Donations total shows the full amount donated for that year.

2025 Donations: Can you help us beat $50,000 this year?!?!?

2024 Donations: $50,000
$1,500 to Center of Hope – Ravenna April 5
$1,500 to Kent Social Services - Kent April 5
$5,000 to Center of Hope – Ravenna July 19
$5,000 to Kent Social Services - Kent July 19
$1,545 to Portage Metropolitan Housing Market Program August 30
$6,865 to Women Infants and Children Perks Program at Haymaker Farmers Market September 14
$10,000 to Center of Hope – Ravenna November 6
$10,000 to Kent Social Services - Kent November 6
$3,865 to Women Infants and Children Perks Program at Haymaker Farmers Market December 11
$3,367 to Women Infants and Children Perks Program at Haymaker Farmers Market December 21
$1,358 (info coming soon) December

2023 Donations: $40,195
$3,000 to Kent Social Services and Center of Hope - April
$9,000 to KSS, COH, and Rural Relief Mobil Pantry - July
$6,980 to WIC via Haymaker Farmers Market - November
$1,448 to PMHA via Haymaker Farmers Market- November

2022 Donations: $28,480
$5,000 to Kent Social Services - December
$6,980 WIC Perks program - WIC eligible families at Haymaker Farmers Market - November
$5,000 to Kent Social Services - October
$1,500 to Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority Market - July
$7,000 to Kent Social Services - July
$3,000 to Rural Relief Mobile Food Pantry - May

2021 Donations: $23,900
$5,000 Kent Social Services - Dec
$3,500 to Raven Packs - Dec
$6,000 Kent Social Services - Oct
$2,000 to Rural Relief Mobile Food Pantry - September
$900 to Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority Market - August
$5,000 Kent Social Services - May
$1,500 to Raven Packs - May

2020 Donations: $15,000
$5,000 Kent Social Services - November to purchase food supplies
$10,000 Kent Social Services - February to purchase a freezer
Volunteers assisted PPES - People Protecting Each Other Sustainably, by sewing the majority of 8,000 cotton face masks, which were donated to healthcare workers and to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic

2019:
donated four refurbished hand operated (non electric) Singer #99 sewing machines to Bonyo's Kenya Mission to be used by women in a rural farming village to make their own washable menstrual products, mend clothing, and sew household and personal items for themselves and their community. ONGOING:
Help to fund the produce perks initiative which matches weekly allowances for residents on the S.N.A.P. program when shopping at the Haymaker Farmers Market

Donate fabrics to Cocoon Makers of Ravenna to create waterproof and warm sleeping bags and mats for homeless people in our community

Utilize textiles from the KSU School of Fashion Design and our community to create our beautiful and useful items - keeping tons of textiles out of landfills, while also feeding the hungry of our community

Providing an opportunity for seniors and youth in our community to come together to create friendships and fight loneliness while volunteering to make the things we sell

Supporting Miller Community House, Freedom House Kent, and Safer Futures in the ways we can and the ways they need