Brightpoint's Bloomington Crisis Nursery is working to fill its pantry through the annual Stuff the Bus event, which runs through Dec. 6. The event focuses on collecting food donations and supplies for infants and children up to age 6.
The event runs in partnership with Connect Transit, the Amalgamated Transit Union, Heartland Bank and Radio Bloomington, with Connect Transit lending its buses for the event. Buses are parked at several locations around the community throughout Stuff the Bus. Community members are encouraged to bring as many supplies as possible. The event helps supply Brightpoint to offer year-round services.
“Stuff the Bus is an annual campaign that we've been doing over 20 years that helps provide resources for our Crisis Nursery throughout the year," said Mendy Smith, Brightpoint's vice president of early childhood services. "Crisis Nursery is a 24/7 facility that serves children 0 to 7 that come in and either use our services for child care or respite, or just need to come in and ask for resources."
The Crisis Nursery needs non-perishable food, new clothing, toys, diapers and other essential supplies for babies and young children. The most needed items are diapers, baby wipes, underwear, gift cards and Enfamil AR baby formula.
“Families are telling us every day that they are having to make impossible choices between buying food for their families or buying diapers, and that's not OK with us,” said chief advancement officer Matea Varvodic.
Donations will be accepted from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily at the following locations:
Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 3-4
Kroger: 1550 E College Ave., Normal
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6
Walmart: 2225 W. Market St., Bloomington
Saturday, Dec. 6 only, until 6 p.m.
Sam’s Club: 2151 Shepard Rd., Normal
Additional donation locations:
- Brightpoint Crisis Nursery: 403 S. State St., Bloomington
- Connect Transit Office: 351 Wylie Dr., Normal
This year Brightpoint is facing increased demand. In Bloomington, 152 children from 101 families were admitted into the Crisis Nursery. In total, there were 1,197 admissions to crisis nursery services, the highest since 2021. More than 76,000 diapers, almost 4,000 wipes and and around 940 packages of formula have been distributed.
“We're seeing the increased need to either get resources or for admissions services, such as respite care, the increased pressure for families to be able to put food on the table, to provide critical resources for young children, such as diapers, formula, wipes,” Smith said.
Smith said the number of calls and needed assistance continue to increase as families struggle to make ends meet. This is partially due to an increase in overall food insecurity within McLean County. According to the Chicago-based nonprofit group Feeding America, there are nearly 20,000 food insecure people in McLean County. That's up from about 14,500 in 2021.
“When children come into the Crisis Nursery, they're guaranteed a meal. They're guaranteed all supplies are there for them, diapers, wipes, whatever they need,” Smith said.
Although the situation is pressing in Bloomington-Normal, both Smith and Varvodic highlighted the local community and how much of a positive impact the people make.
“To see how the community comes together is really inspiring, whether it's here, helping with the bus, or figuring out how we can serve a family that's coming with nothing,” Smith said. “My role is statewide and it is something you don't see across the state of Illinois.”
This week, cash donations will be matched up to $40,000. More information about Brightpoint can be found at brightpoint.org.
