While other organizations might strive to serve more people with more programs in bigger spaces, that’s not what we’re about at Patchwork Central. We fit in a unique niche among Evansville service providers by being small, flexible, grassroots, and a little offbeat. That allows us to meet needs and to provide one-on-one interactions that larger organizations who serve more people aren’t able to address.
As one example, a few weeks ago it was very cold outside. One of our guests had recently adopted a new dog, and she worried that the chihuahua mix would get too cold walking around outdoors. She asked if Patchwork happened to have anything like a coat for him to wear. Kate, one of this semester’s interns, jumped into the project. She found a fleece bag that had held a blanket and realized that it was about the same size as the dog. With a few cuts from a scissors, the bag turned into the perfect dog coat. The dog seemed pleased with his new coat, as was everyone else.
In another example, each morning of the week we have a different team of volunteers who serve up coffee, lemonade, and snacks from the kitchen. Most of these volunteers have been at Patchwork in this capacity for years, and each adds their own special touches to the day’s coffee service. Gail heads up the Tuesday kitchen and sometimes treats our guests to gourmet creations inspired by whatever we have in the food pantry. During the summer, it was mocktails with pineapple wedges set in a cup of lemonade. This week it was apple turnovers upgraded by topping them with a thin slice of cheese. The price for one of these delicacies is an exchange of smiles. It’s all simple but adds an extra layer of caring that our guests appreciate.
Yet another example is the cough drops that we hand out daily from the Sozo Health Ministry’s over-the-counter medical supply cart. At this time of year, everyone is sniffling or coughing—whether it’s allergies, getting over the flu, cold weather, dry air, or a general sense of malaise. Numerous times throughout the morning, someone will stick their head into the main office, request some cough drops, and receive a handful. They’re not complicated medicine. They’re soothing. They bring a little medicinal warmth to your throat. They work for many situations. And, they’re the perfect item to share as a way to tell someone that we hope they feel better.
Patchwork’s services are made up of hundreds of these small moments that combine to make a bigger impact in people’s lives. We hope we fill in gaps left by larger organizations. We also hope that all of the small ways we show we care at Patchwork will help remind our guests that they are valued.