CHANGE NOTHING; NOTHING CHANGES
A chance connection between the family behind Pilgrim Cafe and teenager Sam has created a wonderfully rewarding side project called SammyBags. David Durrant is the owner of Pilgrim and was looking for ways to diversify the offerings at the Lichfield Street espresso bar.
“My wife Pieta and children met Sammy down at our local park on the swings. Sammy was in a dark place at the time, and the swings were her safe place. Pieta reached out to her, and from then on, we would see her regularly at the park. Our relationship grew from there. As we were toying with the idea of the bags, it just seemed to make sense that we would invite Sammy on board to be a part of it. And that’s kind of where things got a little crazy, and the dots began to join of their own accord.”
SammyBags could be considered as a leather alternative – a reusable, durable bag made of washable kraft paper. A decidedly classic old-school feel with a modern approach to sustainability.
“The name SammyBags popped into my head one evening while making prototypes, incorporating the double meaning of Sandwich and Sammy. Sam would make hundreds of origami cranes when she was feeling low so this, of course, would later become our logo.
Sammy’s first tattoo was “Change Nothing; Nothing Changes”. This came from a nurse while Sam was receiving treatment. Its dual meaning became apparent, as relating to both mental and environmental health. Our environment has a direct relationship with our mental health.
David finds working with Sammy ‘heaps of fun’.
“I think her strengths lie in creative problem solving and creating an ordered environment. She shows a maturity and empathy beyond her years. Getting to know Sammy has been a blessing and inspiration in our family’s life as a whole.”
Sam enjoys David’s company and hearing about how he navigated his own youth to make personal changes.
Having her opinions heard and seeing these implemented to improve the way SammyBags conducts business is hugely rewarding.
“SammyBags is an empowering process which has given me purpose. It has been a big learning curve and is both a distraction and a part of my recovery. For every SammyBag sold, we donate one dollar as a way of supporting others going through similar mental health struggles, which is definitely a highlight for me. I’m really excited to be a part of the solution and offering others hope.”
2021 means David and Sam will continue to encourage people to reduce single-use waste and provide them with more innovative homegrown solutions to do so. The duo wants SammyBags to be for food what reusable cups are for coffee.
“It’s simply about getting out there and supporting your local cafe or bakery! When you pop in for a quad shot oat flat white with your Keep Cup, remember your muffin bag, and ask for your cheese scone to be put in it! There’s an unspoken SammyBags guarantee that the server will compliment you on the bag if they haven’t seen one before. Give it a go!”
sammybags.com