By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Home Sweet Home Ministries is most of the way home in its goal of collecting 2,000 turkeys for families in need this Thanksgiving.
Spokeswoman Leslie said more than 1,700 frozen turkeys have been collected for the Bloomington ministries’ meal distribution.
“We still have donations coming in and we’re still counting them as we go,” Bunge said. “We’re pretty optimistic here that we are going to be able to reach our goal this year.”
Meal baskets will be distributed at Home Sweet Home on Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Nov. 21 from 2 to 6 p.m. with the help of Midwest Food Bank.
“This year we are doing a really good job of getting that message out,” Bunge said. “People have just responded really well this year.”
Several hundred meals will also be delivered to shut-ins and served at the shelter on Thanksgiving day.
The charities collected all the Thanksgiving trimmings during a promotion with local churches in September.
Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco and Vale church are selling turkey cards for $15.
Sharing the Light of Hope
Home Sweet Home Ministries raised $40,000 from its first
Sharing the Light of Hope Fundraising Gala held on Nov. 4 at Second Presbyterian Church.
More than 100 people attended the event featuring both live and silent auctions. A highlight of the evening included a special donation from Patrick Campbell and his band, Jury’s Out. Campbell, along with fellow band members, presented a check for $6,000 to be used towards turkeys for Thanksgiving.
“This month marks Home Sweet Home Ministries’ 99th anniversary. This was a wonderful way to commemorate the founding of Home Sweet Home,” remarked Mary Ann Pullin, Home Sweet Home Ministries’ CEO. “Home Sweet Home was founded with community support and has continued to ‘share the light of hope’ with community support. Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to this event.”
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
