NAM Scrap Quilt

This quilt is made from scraps of the quilts I made last year.  You can read about how to make "scrap blocks" in this post.  The ladies from church tied it, and then I FMQed the squares.

Last Saturday, the Klein Stake from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) hosted it's 17th Annual Interfaith Charity Quilting Bee.  Over 30 local congregations spend the year prior making quilts, and at the annual bee, the quilts were collected and turned over to Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM).  Over 300 quilts are donated each year.  

At the bee, all the different congregations gather to tie their last quilt to be donated.   A nice lunch is served, including the famous "Nancy's Chocolate Chip Cookies" (see recipe).  I think they're famous because they're so big, and you get a whole one to yourself!

After the lunch there is a short program in which the quilts are presented to the NAM organization.  The quilts will be given to local families, including people from NAM's Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), families in transition from homelessness, Meals on Wheels, the Children's Clinic and the Family Violence Center.

I remember several times through the years, we were able to hear personally from some of the recipients of these quilts.  These dear people had gone through tragic times, loosing jobs, homes, family members, everything, even their dignity.  They were given the opportunity to go through NAM's 9 week IHN program which helped them get their feet back on the ground.  

At the end of the program, they are taken to a big closet and the family members are each asked if they would like to "choose a quilt".  It is touching to hear their humble stories and gratitude in person.


Nancy's Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cream together: 
  2 cups sugar
  2 cups brown sugar
  1 cup butter
  1 cup margarine
  4 eggs

Add:
  4 cups flour
  1 tsp. salt
  2 tsp. baking soda
  2 tsp. baking powder

Mix and stir in:
  5 cups oatmeal
  1-2 cups walnuts
  One 12 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips

For large cookies, place 1/4 cup dough on un-greased cookie sheet.
Press down slightly.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Individually wrap each cookie.  Makes 40 large cookies.