Woman behind scarf-making movement says it’s a small way of helping people during colder months

PITTSBURGH — If you’re out and about and see a scarf randomly tied to a fence or bench, it’s called a scarf bomb. The woman behind the idea, Suzanne Volpe, said it’s her small way of helping people when the weather takes a turn.

“A scarf is like a hug you wear all day,” Volpe said. “I thought, ‘Well, people who bomb are bombardiers. So we do scarf bombs. We are bombardiers.’”

Volpe said she and other volunteers collect and make scarves all year, and then when it gets cold, they tie them up on public property with little notes letting people know they’re free for those in need.

She said the group has been giving them away for eight years. Last year, they gave away 2,000. This year, the number is at 2,300 and counting.

“It’s really good stress relief,” Volpe said. “I love the look on people’s faces when they get them.”

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