Brothers and Sisters of St Martin de Porres

Love and Compassion in every stitch 

The Healing Quilt Project is a way for people to create memorial quilts of a loved one who had died. It's become even more.

Since moving recently into its new building, next to Pitts Chapel United Methodist Church,the project has added a food pantry that addresses special medical and nutritional needs.

After learning about the Healing Quilt Project, Pitts Chapel pastor Gloria Jones was excited to have the church's house used for the program. "For the church, it's such a great opportunity for community outreach," said Jones. "It's also a mission moment. Outreach into the counity is one of the goals of the Methodist church.

Jones, who is also pastor at mount Carmel United Methodist Church, met Healing Quilt Project founders Rick McCormack and Michael Ardagno earlier in the year when they attended Sunday services at Pitts Chapel.

The church is now fully involved in the Healing Quilt Project, which also makes quilts for people who are sick or elderly and knits caps and booties for our Maryknoll Sisters, who care for babies, with AIDS in Africa and El Salvador. "The Healing Quilt Project has become part of who we are," said Jones. "They are next door to us. We hear and see a lot of what's going on there. That's very comfortable." Part of what they hear are the stories of people who have been helped through the project.

Raneak Jordan of Springfield is one of the volunteers at the little house now named for St. Martin de Porres, who reached out to the poor and sick in Peur in the 17th century. On a recent visit, Jordan was helping Ardagno stack canned goods in the new food pantry, and he plans to help sew quilt pieces. He was sent to the Healing Quilt Project to fulfill 40 hours of community services after getting in trouble with the law. "I'll come more than that," he assured Ardagno (workshop coordinator). Jordan, 26, plans to make memory quilts for loved ones he has lost. He will bring his fiancee and children with him next time. Then he asked about church services at Pitts Chapel.

Pastor Jones said several people who have been served by the Healing Quilt Project have attended church to say thank you.

Gina Marie Walden and Shelley Vaugine, both of Springfield, began volunteering  at the Healing Quilt Project when they heard about the new food pantry. "The whoel aspect of Healing Quilt is love and compassion in every stitch," said Walden. "But it encompasses a lot more," added Vaugine. "We really like the philosophy about healing."

People we are refered to the Healing Quilt Project's Neighborhood Food Pantry will be assisted by a nutritionist who will help asses their needs. Walden and Vaugine will help distribute and deliver food to people who are unable to come to the pantry themselves.

One advantage to visiting St. Martin's House is the camaraderie, Walden said. "It provides an opportunity to help others even if you come for help yourself."

McCormack said the house will always have a pot of coffee, a mess of beans and cornbread and an open heart for those who visit. He will also provide counseling, referral and advocacy to those who need it.

McCormack and Ardagno lead quilt workshops at St. Martin's House as well as at Daybreak Adult Day Care (Council of Churches of the Ozarks), Victory House shelter for women and children, the child life unit at Cox South and other places. They also provide dinner for the Rare Breed on Fridays, help out at Franciscan Villa and give AIDS education workshops at area schools.

Also working with the Healing Quilt Project on the food pantry are Center City Christian Outreach, The Kitchen and the Community Alliance for Compassionate Care at the End of Life.

"When people are really down, giving back is important," said vaugine. "I would like to see this develop into a community resource."