Six catholic parishes have banded together to continue the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen in Bloomington. It appeared last week the decades old institution would close with the coming retirement of its director Tina Sipula. The last day for the soup kitchen was to have been November 24th. Sipula also operates the Clare House food pantry. She had been unable to find new sponsors for either social service outlet. Service providers say they believe other food pantries in the twin cities can make up that need. But, the soup kitchen will stay open at Saint Mary's with the help of existing volunteers and sponsorship support from other parishes.
WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.