Have you ever heard of an “ugly quilt”? An ugly quilt is a sleeping bag made from recycled materials. Once assembled, it is donated to a shelter, where it is distributed to people experiencing homelessness.
Making ugly quilts is a mission project of the Goodrich UMC United Women in Faith.
Homeless Ministry Going Strong after 25 years
This mission began in 1998 and is still going strong today. It began when two women from the church visited Flushing UMC’s United Methodist Women to see a program that presented the ministry of the ugly quilt sleeping bag.
The two women learned that the sleeping bags for the homeless began when Flo Wheatley, with her ill son, Leonard, was at a loss while navigating New York City subways, and a homeless man offered to help them. This kind man made sure they got to their stop and found a cab. He refused the offer of money and went on his way.
This so impressed Flo that three years later, in 1985, she was moved to help those experiencing homelessness through her sewing. God inspired her to make a sleeping bag to keep a homeless person warm. She started the My Brother’s Keeper Quilt Group. Before she realized it, the sleeping bag idea caught on, spreading by word of mouth to other churches and service organizations. This sewing-for-a-cause movement caught fire across the nation and overseas, including on military bases.
After the program at Flushing UMC, the Goodrich women shared what they had learned with their local unit. They suggested that this would be a good mission project for them to begin.
The Ugly Quilters began making quilts out of old clothing and socks, stitching everything together by hand. They started with 10 adults, making 98 quilts the first year. Over time, the process has changed, as has the number of volunteers.
Using the Environment to Benefit Mankind
Recycling is a big part of their project now. They make their quilts out of donated materials, blankets, mattress pads, used sheets, neckties, and some batting. They have one person using the sewing machine, another 12-14 people threading thread to keep the layers of materials together, and a couple of people adding filler to the sleeping bags.
Each sleeping bag has a Bible verse ironed onto the inside, and each contains a hygiene kit. Hygiene kits contain a toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, a washcloth, deodorant, a comb, and socks. Once the sleeping bag is rolled up and a hygiene kit is placed inside, it is tied together with the attached neckties.
From 1998 to 2004, the quilts were donated to The Salvation Army. In 2005, the quilts were donated to St. Vincent de Paul and Carriage Town in Flint. In 2023, there was a need for quilts for our veterans and the homeless in Lapeer County. It was decided to donate quilts to Strength in Numbers in Genesee County and Love INC in Lapeer County. Each month, Strength in Numbers receives 10 quilts, and Love INC receives 10.
The Ugly Quilters sew approximately 110 quilts a year. To date, they have supplied 3,208 quilts to those experiencing homelessness. They meet weekly to work on this mission, taking time off only during the summer months. The volunteers are both men and women, spending their time together assembling quilts, having wonderful conversations, and praying for those they have helped and those they will help. They have a lot of fun coming together in fellowship and eating homemade treats, all for a purpose.
Your Generosity Supports Educational Efforts
By supporting the World Service Fund apportionment, you help agencies like General Board of Higher Education and Ministry provide scholarships for students in colleges and universities including seminaries. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the World Service Fund Apportionment at 100 percent.
story by Jeannine Page-Tear and Cyndy Rossman, East Winds District Co-Lay Leaders
This story shows the impact of the World Service Fund—one of seven apportionment funds of The United Methodist Church—to connect our hearts and resources in mission around the world. Through this fund, the Church supports global ministries, discipleship, evangelism, education, and social justice work that transform lives and communities. Together, we share the love of Christ across boundaries and bring hope where it’s needed most.
When your church contributes faithfully to the World Service Fund, you help the whole Church live out God’s mission in every place.
