City of Bloomington to Host Annual Homeward Bound 5K Walk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2009

For more information, please contact:
Kathy Mayer, Community and Family Resources, City of Bloomington, 349-3430
Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, [lopezd@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:lopezd@bloomington.in.gov]

Bloomington, IN - The City of Bloomington's Community and Family Resources Department (CFRD) will host Small[image:4765,right] Steps Together Toward a Bright Future, the 7th Annual Homeward Bound 5K Walk, on Sunday, Apr. 19, at Third Street Park between Lincoln and Washington Streets downtown.

The yearly event, which runs from noon to 3 p.m., raises money to provide housing and address hunger and homelessness in the Bloomington area. In addition to the walk, there will be activities for children at Kid's Island and live music from local musical acts. Interested parties will have numerous chances for participation, from walking and fundraising to sponsorship and donation opportunities for both individuals and corporations. Volunteers also are needed for the day of the event to direct walkers and distribute materials.

Last year 500 participants raised $64,287, with all funds collected going to help 12 local agencies working with citizens experiencing hunger and homelessness in Bloomington. From 2003 to 2008, Bloomington Homeward Bound Walk has raised more than $325,000. This year, the organization hopes to raise $70,000 to help fund programs for Amethyst House, Area 10 on Aging, Centerstone, Community Kitchen, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Martha's House, Middle Way House, Monroe County United Ministries, Mother Hubbard's Cupboard, Shalom Community Center, Stepping Stones and the Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County.

This year's event committee has released informational packets with instructions for forming teams and raising money. They include Team Tips for recruiting members, suggestions for creative fundraising, information on the Little House Challenge, facts and figures on local homelessness and brochures to assist participants in forming teams. The packets can be picked up at the CFRD Office in City Hall, 401 N. Morton Street, Suite 260.

For more information, contact City CFRD Program Director Kathy Mayer at 349-3430 or via email at [mayerk@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:mayerk@bloomington.in.gov], or Janet Cravens, Co-Chairperson of the Homeward Bound Committee, at 334-9568 or janet.cravens@ge.com. You can also get more information at [http://bloomington.in.gov/homewardbound|http://bloomington.in.gov/homewardbound], or visit [www.homewardboundindiana.org/bloomington|www.homewardboundindiana.org/bloomington] to join a team or make an online donation.

###