Nourishment for the soul

A deeper chapter in a meaningful partnership is about to unfold. This summer, St. Paul is expanding its relationship with Tapestry Farms, a Quad-Cities nonprofit dedicated to walking alongside refugees and strengthening access to resources in this community. St. Paul and Tapestry are launching a hands-on ministry aimed at meeting an increasingly urgent need: delivering fresh produce and essential care items to refugee families navigating difficult transitions and an increasingly more turbulent reality.

Tapestry Farms was founded in 2017 by St. Paul member Ann McGlynn and has grown into a vibrant web of services and support. From twelve urban garden sites and a hydroponics container to legal services, English classes, housing assistance, job support, and food distribution, Tapestry Farms is mission-driven at every level. Its work is centered on nourishing lives—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—especially for families who have fled war, persecution, or environmental devastation to build new lives here in the Quad Cities.

St. Paul’s relationship with Tapestry Farms runs deep. The inspiration for Tapestry Farms began with St. Paul people welcoming a refugee family in 2016.

“This congregation and its people have graciously partnered with Tapestry Farms for nearly a decade. Volunteers helped prepare culturally familiar food boxes for refugee families through the Madison Market,” Ann said. “As that program came to a close, the question arose: how can we continue supporting the Quad Cities community in meaningful ways?”

The answer is now taking shape—driven by the growing needs of these refugee families.

This summer, more than two dozen families from countries like Syria, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Nicaragua will be supported through this partnership. Once a month, St. Paul volunteers will pack culturally appropriate food and hygiene items and deliver them directly to the families homes. Many have large families’ of six, eight, even ten—and limited income, often relying on a single wage-earner with a low-wage job. Most are working to navigate unfamiliar systems, foods, language barriers, and customs.

Policy shifts threaten to make life even harder. This year, new federal legislation eliminates SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits for refugees who have not yet received green cards. The process to apply for a green card doesn’t even begin until one year after arrival, and the wait for approval can stretch up to two additional years. That means families will be left with no food assistance for as long as three years. Medicaid benefits for the same population also expire at the end of 2026.

St. Paul senior pastor Mark Niethammer said the partnership is an ideal match for the resources and volunteer strength that St. Paul is fortunate to offer.

“Tapestry Farms has an incredible impact on the Quad Cities in ways that most people will likely never know. Among the beautiful things that they do is lift up and honor the unique stories, culture, and life situations of each family. The partnership St. Paul and Tapestry Farms is forming helps honor the culture of these families and helps make their transitions to their new homes easier,” Mark said. “That St. Paul can join our people power, our financial resources, and our call to serve our neighbors with Ann and her team is quite an honor. The sky is the limit for the ways that we can lift up the God-breathed humanity of those we will be getting to know through this joint work.”

And this work is about more than just food.

“When people are nourished, they’re better equipped for the long journey of rebuilding. But there’s also a second kind of nourishment—human connection. Isolation is so rampant right now and not just for refugees. We’re a society that is more isolated than ever before,” Ann said. “Meeting someone new, even if you may not speak the same language, offering a smile, learning their kids’ names—that’s joy. And we all need more joy in our lives right now.”

Get involved
An orientation session will be held Sunday, Aug. 10, 10:15–11 a.m. in the Chapel. First loading and delivery day is set for Tuesday, Aug. 26, 12 noon–4 p.m. To learn more or get involved, contact Mark Niethammer or sign up online to help.