BIRD-IN-HAND, PA

The small Mennonite town of Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania has become the first community in the nation to introduce a knitting needle exchange program for local grandmas. Starting this January, local knitters will be able to drop off their old needles in a “sharps container” at area thrift stores, where they will be given fresh needles no questions asked.

“Some of these Mennonite ladies have been using the same knitting needles for years,” said program director Sally Hurst. “It really becomes a public health concern, especially since these women tend to congregate together in church basements and who knows what all goes on there.”

Local grandmas are excited about the new program, which has been seen as both a harm reduction initiative and also a chance to get free stuff.

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