Six of our current Arts & Smarts after school participants are second generation “Patchwork kids.” Their families know that they will be supported and cared for as individuals. Their families know this because they have experienced it themselves. We are part of their community. One man lives in a house near Patchwork. He’s very tall […]
Patchwork Central plays an important role as a gathering place for our neighbors. Every morning Monday through Thursday, a diverse group gathers. Some come for coffee. Some come for fellowship. Some come for showers. Some come for access to small but essential things like the phone, a fax machine, or some fresh produce. A community […]
“Thanks for talking to me. If the two of us were someplace else, we wouldn’t be talking. You probably wouldn’t notice me. I’m kind of invisible.” The man and Jane Vickers had been enjoying a conversation as he sat in the Patchwork kitchen window supervising the morning coffee service and Jane worked on children’s program […]
Tuesday afternoon I got a report of a school supply explosion at Patchwork Central. Everything was OK, though. It was all in good fun. The report came from someone who had volunteered as a “Bagger” to help prepare for Patchwork’s 22nd annual Back to School Sale. The group had moved a mountain of boxes and […]
Patchwork’s neighborhood hospitality is one thing that makes us unique. We are open to the public most mornings, Monday through Thursday. People come inside for coffee, to visit with friends, to connect with resources that they need, to take a shower, or to get a little something to eat. Staff, volunteers, and guests mingle and […]
When you think about the institutions that you need to have to make a healthy neighborhood, you might think of the fire department or a police station. Maybe a park. Maybe a school, a grocery store, a bank, or a library. Maybe a restaurant or two. I would suggest that nestled in your ideal little […]
This week, a man stopped in Patchwork’s main office. “I need to tell you what I think about this place,” he began. “It’s not just about what you do here. It’s about your hearts. I’m retired. I come from across town to read my books here and drink coffee. It’s a comfortable place. Thanks for […]
When the Evansville school system cancels school because of inclement weather, Patchwork officially closes as well. No food pantry. No Arts & Smarts. But if you stop by our building on a snow day, you might find some people here with a warm pot of coffee waiting. Many of our staff and volunteers live close […]
He has been living in his car with his dog for a while. Several months ago he started stopping at Patchwork to get a shower, to charge his phone, and to drink some coffee. He’s known among the staff for being angry and complaining about everyone else. He reacts quickly in minor conflicts, he […]
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, it’s a good time to look back at everything that Patchwork has accomplished in the last year. Our 40th was a good year! The Patchwork Central Emergency Food Pantry – Our food pantry served 2765 individuals from 1577 households by distributing almost 24.5 tons of food. The Pantry is […]