Sure, people may get things like food or a shower or a foot soak or a bicycle when they stop by Patchwork, but we hope that’s not why they stop by. We hope they stop by Patchwork because it’s a community hub where they know they will find fellowship among a good group of people. And maybe in that fellowship they’ll find something else that they’re seeking.
One morning this week, a couple stopped by Patchwork. They are living in their truck but are working to get their lives stabilized and on a better track. The woman had just been hired at a restaurant and was preparing for her first shift at her new job. At Patchwork, they were able to shower, drink a few cups of coffee, and get some food for later. But then they discovered a flat tire on their truck. They weren’t sure they could get it fixed in time for work.
Concerned, they asked if we have bus tokens as alternate form of transportation to work, but bus tokens aren’t something that Patchwork provides. Across Evansville, bus tokens are usually hard to come by. However, one of the other people sitting in Patchwork’s main room enjoying his coffee overheard the problem. “I’ve got two bus tokens!” he yelled from across the room. He handed the woman the bus tokens so she would be guaranteed a way to work.
Next week, Patchwork will be closed for the entire week to give our staff and volunteers some much-needed downtime. “My mornings will be empty!” lamented another of our friends who stops in most mornings to chat and to get some coffee. He said that he’ll have an empty spot in his days without his usual trip to Patchwork. We’ll miss his conversation as well. It’s another example of the community created at Patchwork.
And then there’s the man who stopped by Patchwork last week. It had been long enough since we’d seen him that we didn’t quite remember his name, but we still remembered his face. He reminded us that there was a time when he was homeless. In that time, he came to Patchwork often and he utilized our services regularly. He said that he now has housing and a job and things are going well.
“I was driving past, and I decided I really needed to stop and come in,” he said. “I just needed to say thank you.”