Home Sweet Home Ministries is using a $75,000 grant to relocate and renovate its Bread For Life Food Co-op.
The co-op will move into the site of the former Mission Mart at 301 E Oakland Ave., Bloominton, which is next door to Home Sweet Home Ministries. The Mission Mart closed last year.
Funding comes from the John M. Scott Health Care Commission that promotes health and well-being for McLean County residents. Scott was a contemporary of Abraham Lincoln and served on the Illinois Supreme Court.
Matt Burgess, Home Sweet Home Ministries chief executive officer, said it’s an opportunity to better serve people in need.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to extend our mission to serve low-income individuals and families struggling with chronic food security issues through the expansion of the Bread For Life Food Co-op. We look forward to providing more space, better visibility, and easier access for co-op members," Burgess said.
The Bread For Life Food Co-op is a membership-based program where patrons can either work for two hours in exchange for their groceries, or work one hour and pay $5. This model allows people to use their own capabilities to provide food for their families, according to Home Sweet Home Ministries. People also are able to choose their food instead of receiving a prepackaged box under other pantry models.
Members can visit the co-op twice per month, with larger families getting more frequent access. For more information on how to become a member, send an email to breadforlife@hshministries.org or call (309) 828-7356 ext. 228.
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