5K raises funds to house homeless

About 500 residents, accompanied by several dogs on leashes, walked through the streets of Bloomington on Sunday. Many held brightly colored signs that read "Walk to stop homelessness now" as they participated in Bloomington's fourth annual Homeward Bound walk. \nWalkers collected donations that will be distributed to several agencies in the Bloomington area, including Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Martha's House, Mental Health Alliance, Middle Way House, Monroe County United Ministries, Mother Hubbard's Cupboard, Shalom Community Center and Youth Services Bureau.\nEach participant could specify which organization he or she would like to receive the donations; otherwise, the money was distributed evenly to all of the organizations in one collective effort to reduce homelessness in Bloomington. \n"That's the cool thing about this walk," said Lucy Schaich of Bloomington's Volunteer Network. "It stays local."\nSchaich helped Teen Action Project, a group organized by the Bloomington Volunteer Network, raise money through the walk. About 20 members of TAP showed their support at Homeward Bound by wearing orange TAP T-shirts and blue bandanas, which the members said symbolize youth. Anyone younger than 18 received a blue bandana to show the support of youth in the fight against homelessness. \nTeams organized at Third Street Park in downtown Bloomington before the 2 p.m. start. After the walkers departed, homeowners in the Prospect Hill neighborhood, located at Third and Rogers streets, waved from their front porches at the passing walkers. The 3.5-mile route began on Third Street and continued through the Prospect Hill neighborhood, through Dunn Meadow and along the Jordan River before concluding back at Third Street Park. \n"Why Will You Walk?" was the theme of this year's Homeward Bound event. Kari Loviscek, who lives on Bloomington's east side, pushed a stroller for the entire 5K walk. She, like many others said she felt a personal conviction for the cause.\n"I can't imagine what it would be like not to have a roof over my head," Loviscek said. \nMany walkers agreed that homelessness is an important concern in Bloomington, where housing costs are among the highest in the state, while its median income is one of the lowest, according to a Homeward Bound press release. \n"With the University so close, the problem tends to be forgotten," said Karen Haldeman, who walked in Homeward Bound for the first time Sunday. \nAccording to a Homeward Bound press release, 20,095 people in Monroe County live below the federal poverty level, and are considered low-income. The walk itself provided the walkers with more information about the severity of Bloomington's poverty and homelessness. Each philanthropic organization involved in the walk displayed large signs showing statistics about homelessness in the Monroe County area. \nBloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan said the turnout was "pretty impressive, given the weather," but that it will be difficult to evaluate the overall success of this year's walk before adding up the donations. \nLast year's walk raised $48,500.