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Celebrating 100 Years of Hope

During this year of 2017, Home Sweet Home Ministries is celebrating 100 years of hope.  When Billy Shelper opened the first location of Home Sweet Home, on Thanksgiving Day 1917, people were greeted with a sign that read, “Hope for all who enter.”  That same message greets people when they enter our building.  Many things have changed at Home Sweet Home, in our community, and in the world, but our message remains the same.

 It is only with very generous community support over the last century that we have been able to provide food, shelter, and hope to people in need in our community.  From its very beginnings, Home Sweet Home has counted on the support of this generous community to ensure that the most needy in the community receive the assistance they need.  It all started with aThanksgiving meal in 1917, with food and labor donated by community members, a tradition that continues to this day. 

Last year over 3,000 people volunteered their services to help us achieve our mission to instill hope, restore lives, and build community.  Thousands of people donated food, clothing, and personal care items.  The vast majority of our funding came from contributions from individuals, churches, businesses, and organizations.  Home Sweet Home Ministries is blessed to be part of such a caring community. Together we have created a brighter future for thousands of people over the last 100 years.  Together we will continue caring for our neighbors through the work of Home Sweet Home Ministries for many years to come.

 

 

We have prepared a commemorative booklet that looks back over the past 100 years.

 

 

 

Upcoming events during this Centennial year:

February 3: We are hosting a fundraising and awareness event called “Night in a Car” at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington.  Click here to register or support those who are participating.  

*Event Update: Our first Night in a Car was a huge success! Over 50 participants including individuals, families, and church groups braved the cold to see if they could survive in their cars for one night. With the gracious support of the community, we raised over $25,000!  We're looking forward to our next Night in a Car on February 2, 2018. So mark your calendars now!                         

March 26: Fleet Feet Sports Bloomington will host the 4th annual Run for Hope to benefit Home Sweet Home Ministries.

*Event Update: We had a wonderful turnout for the 4th annual Run for Hope! 172 runners, both young and old, came out to run in the Kid's Run, 5k, and 10k along Constitution Trail. We would like to thank everyone for coming out and showing their support as well as these sponsors: Fleet Feet Sports Bloomington, McLean County Foot & Ankle, Cargill, Clemens Insurance, Doubletree by Hilton, Specs Around Town, and Midwest Food Bank.

July 1: Home Sweet Home Family Reunion at Miller Park Pavilion. Everyone is invited to attend.  We will enjoy a picnic lunch and have a group photo taken to re-enact an activity that was common in the early days of Home Sweet Home.

*Event Update: We had close to 200 people come out and help us celebrate our Centennial. We posed for a group photo in front of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, ate a delicious picnic lunch, and enjoyed each other's company. We are so grateful for the community's support and we look forward to the next 100 years!

 

August 4-13: OSF will hold their annual shoe drive to benefit Home Sweet Home.

*Event Update: The 15th Annual OSF Shoe Drive was a huge success. We collected 4,068 pounds of shoes! A tremendous thank you to OSF St. Joseph and everyone in the community for contributing to another record breaking year.

November 4: Home Sweet Home Ministries' 100 Years of Hope Fundraising Gala at Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington. Click here for more information.

*Event Update: We were blessed to raise $53,000 at our Gala! We had close to 200 people enjoy a night of food, fun, and laughter. A highlight of the evening inlcuded a special portrayal of our founder, Billy Shelper, performed by Todd Wineburner. Thank you to everyone who came out and celebrated with us!

November 18 and 20: We will once again celebrate our annual Give Thanks campaign, in partnership with Midwest Food Bank at their new location on Warehouse Road.

*Event Update: Give Thanks was a huge success! We distributed turkeys and meal boxes to 2,416 households, impacting close to 10,000 individuals. Thank you to all those who donated and volunteered!

 

Be joyful in HOPE, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayerRomans 12:12