General Information

CLARE HOUSE WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29^TH AND SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30^TH.

Food Pantry Hours:

Wednesday and Friday 1:00 to 1:15 pm

Soup Kitchen Hours:

Tuesday & Thursday 11:30 am to 12:30 pm

St. Mary’s Church

527 W. Jackson, Bloomington

House Hours for Donations:

Wednesday 9-11 am and 7-8 pm

Saturday 9-11 am

We are not tax exempt…

               In keeping with the Catholic Worker Tradition, we have not sought tax exempt status since we are convinced that justice and works of mercy should be acts of conscience that come from personal sacrifice without government approval, regulations or rewards.  Therefore, gifts to Clare House are not tax deductible.

Wish List

Stamps, celery, onions, chickens, hams, eggs, cheese, lunch meat, ground beef, chuck roasts, soup base, fruit, large cans of soup, tuna, tomatoes, baked beans, chili beans, hot dogs, buns, 1 gallon baggies, 33 gallon trash bags, small heavy paper plates, powdered drink mix, cereal, vegetables, macaroni and cheese, baby food, baby wipes, baby formula, diapers, toilet paper, sanitary pads, paper towels.

·        Money for bills, taxes, and insurance

·        Gift Certificates for grocery stores

·        Coffee, coffee creamer, sugar

·        Tickets to anywhere

·        PRAYERS!

·        Someone to work at the Soup Kitchen on Tuesdays from 8:45 – 1 pm with special help mopping floors

·        Professional snow removal business to volunteer their services to plow driveway, parking lot and shovel walks and porch.

Making A Difference

Sister Glenda Bourgeois, OSU

These three words have been used on many occasions and they have a way of grabbing my attention. I think of the fact that NBC Nightly News sometimes ends its daily news report with a segment entitled “Making A Difference” always highlighting an inspiring human story.

I reflect in a special way on the presence of Clare House and its extended services in our community and think of what a great difference it has made over the past 35 years. At the youthful age of 25, Tina Sipula cast her lot with the hungry and the homeless, using as the base of this operation, 703 E. Washington Street. She was inspired as many have been by the Catholic Worker ministry, a ministry is steeped in the Gospel message.

Garden food on the porch at Clare House

Clare House and the Loaves and Fishes kitchen are places that have made it possible for each of us to make a difference. The 35 years of service are in fact a tribute to the compassion and generosity of this

Canned food at the Clare House

community who have kept this ministry alive. Faithful volunteers have made a difference. Generous donors have made a difference. Farmers who share their produce have made a difference. Children who decide to collect food for the poor rather than receive birthday presents have made a difference. And, in a big way, Church communities, and civic groups have involved their membership in making a significant difference. All of the collaborators who are involved in the planning and carrying out of the annual food drive make a difference in a remarkable way.

We are all included in having made and continuing to make a difference in the  lives of our brothers and sisters who experience need and know that they can count on us.