By Joe Ragusa
BLOOMINGTON – 250 food baskets were handed out today on the final day of the Clare House.
Founder Tina Sipula is retiring after 37 years.
“It’s been a combination of being excited about retiring but also saying goodbye to all of the volunteers,” Sipula said. “In the last month, it’s been a series of lasts: This is the last time I’ll see this group of people, the last time I’ll load the (food) truck.”
Sipula said she’s thinking about what she’ll do now that she’s retired.
“I hope to begin to think about writing some of the stories, the many thousands of stories I have from the past 37 years,” Sipula said.
Sipula said she’s also looking forward to sleeping-in for the first time in a while.
Ron Sweeney of Bloomington said he’s been coming to the Clare House for 10 years.
“They’re very kind people, very generous. They always do everything they can to make sure everybody has something when they come up. No one gets turned away,” Sweeney said. “They’re just good-hearted, Christian people.”
Velda Williams of Bloomington said Sipula will be missed.
“This pantry is going to be missed more than a lot of other pantries because of the demand she has met for the babies at Christmas time and Thanksgiving time,” Williams said. “We’re going to miss her.”
Joe Ragusa can be reached at joe.ragusa@cumulus.com.
