St John’s is a congregation that continually strives to live out the Gospel of Matthew through the Grace of God:
“… for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Matt. 25:35-36

One of the ways we do this is through our ministry known as, Almost Home (web site, facebook), where “we put people back on the path home by sheltering, serving and supporting our neighbors in need with beds, clothing, and connection to resources.” This is a mission founded and sponsored by the congregation of St. John’s Lutheran, but is not exclusive to Lutheran denomination(s).

The Guest House – “where the homeless feel at home”

is a homeless shelter for single men with children, with warm beds and a place to feel at home. Until recently the Guest House was a seasonal overflow shelter for men, open when the demand for shelter exceeded the number of available beds in other Dubuque agencies. The Guest House provided over 1500 bed/nights each year.

The Open Closet – “a free, retail shopping experience”

• A store open to the public in need
• Items within are given on a first-come, first-served basis, completely free of charge
• Donations of clothing, shoes, and some household items accepted and stocked by the Open Closet crew
The Open Closet serves over 5,000 people each year!

Closet Hours:
First Saturday of each month, 9:00 to 11:00 am.
Third Thursday of each month, 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

Donations:
The Open Closet accepts:
» clothing & accessories in all sizes for men, women, children, & babies
» children’s books and gently used toys
» cash for purchases of steel-toed shoes, children’s coats, kids’ swimwear, and garbage sacks

Donations are accepted:
Please call the Closet Coordinator ahead before bringing items – 563-495-0885
» Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings 9am – 11am
» By appointment

We also support:

Locally –
DACU – Dubuque Area Congregations United
Dubuque Food Pantry: monthly collection and Christmas Baskets
Dubuque Rescue Mission
Habitat for Humanity (Dubuque Chapter)
Lutheran Services of Iowa
New Beginnings Shelter (“Y” Domestic Violence Shelter)
St. Mark Youth Enrichment: Apples for Students and “Angel Tree”
Wartburg Seminary

Nationwide or worldwide –
Bread for the World
CROP: Crop Walk (Church World Service)
ELCA: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS)
ELCA: Lutheran Disaster Response
ELCA Good Gifts
Northeast Iowa synod of the ELCA and its innumerable ministries throughout NE Iowa and international organizations.