Bloomington social services seek $81,000 in community support

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced new budget allocations for federal housing assistance dollars -- a 5 percent decrease for the Bloomington community.\n"What it means is $81,000 less this year for community projects serving low income people," said Susie Johnson, director of housing and neighborhood development for the city of Bloomington. "A 'ripple effect' occurs anytime our social service agencies take a cut, it makes it that much more difficult to provide other services such as the Hoosier Hills Food Bank -- a large percentage of that food goes to the Community Kitchen and Mother Hubbard's Kitchen."\nJohnson said most Bloomington social service agencies cater to residents and IU students generating below 80 percent of the area median income. \nKathleen Wissing, a member of the citizen advisory committee, said the community needs of the "collective whole" are the primary concerns when deciding how and where to appropriate federal money. She said the CAC felt all Bloomington social service agencies were worthy of financial support.\n"What our committee does is a blind analysis of financial need when we have to cut money," Wissing said. "We don't even look at the names -- it's a very painful process. We go into it knowing every organization has needs, and not every organization's needs can be met. We look at the number of people served, the needs of the community, the effectiveness of meeting those needs and so on."\nCommunity Kitchen Express tries to accommodate everyone in need.\n"We serve everyone who comes in, with no questions asked," said Julius Lee, a Community Kitchen Express employee. "As my old boss used to say, hunger never takes a holiday. I believe that as an organization, we should work together to help feed our community and provide services for the community -- regardless of economic situation. As I learned from the United Way, people can make a living with jobs but run short with food money." \nWissing said many social service agencies do not have the money to fund raise or to advertise their organizational needs. She said Bloomington students, residents and guests can call their favorite organization and "ask" what needs need to be met -- be it a donation of small amounts of money in the short run or substantial long-term endowments in the name of loved ones. \nJohnson said there is no additional federal funding on the horizon to make up for the financial loss and organization gaps in services. She said the city of Bloomington believes any family of four or more making less than $47,800 a year should have the opportunity to receive community support and social services.\nWissing said the Bloomington community can help provide a decent life for town residents who are coming up short in life -- people on the "frontline" of social service support. She said funding continues to be cut each year as the needs of community members continue to grow.\nThe CAC has forwarded its budget requests to the Redevelopment Commission, who will hold a public meeting Feb. 7 to consider the recommendations. The commission will then pass the budget to Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan before the Common Council approves a final social service budget for the city.\n"This is a very compassionate and caring community -- feeding people, sheltering people, protecting people from abuse and educating people," Wissing said. "I have always been impressed by the community support (social service) organizations receive ... I think giving provides more for the giver than the receiver sometimes. If you think a need is there, it is. I have faith in this community; I am confident and hopeful for the future."\nLee said he hopes Bloomington can continue to provide the same standards of social service for the community many residents depend on for survival.\n"I have a few patrons who have traveled throughout the U.S. who say that some of the services we offer -- a restaurant-style express kitchen with takeout -- are unheard of elsewhere," Lee said. "I guess you can say (feeding the hungry) is a blessing to our community." \n-- Contact City & State Editor David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.