‘Never underestimate what neighbors can do for neighbors:’ the small town that teamed up to take in two families

At a time when support for immigration is waning, the people of Stone Ridge, New York, adopted Afghan refugees - and helped them build a new life

Every third Thursday evening, an episcopal church in upstate New York transforms into an Afghan takeaway restaurant. It's a very foodie congregation", says the Rev Marcella Gillis. The church does not charge the fledgling catering company overseen by Saida Faqirzada, a refugee from Kabul, for use of its gleaming commercial kitchen.

That decision, unsurprisingly, reminds Gillis of a familiar biblical parable. Several bystanders pass by a distressed person who has been mugged, who beaten up, robbed and left for dead. They say, I'm not allowed to help them. I shouldn't help them. Someone else will help them." So they walk past.