Families Moving Forward - A Most Unusual Year

by Robbie Becker
 
Robbie Becker is our congregation’s host coordinator for Families Moving Forward – a program of Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative that provides shelter and hospitality for families experiencing homelessness. LNL is a Beacon collaborating congregation.
 
As I write this on our final day of “hosting,” I try to imagine the roller coaster of emotions the FMF families are experiencing. It’s frightening enough to be without a place to lay your head, tuck in your children and brew a cup of tea before bed. The extra virus “what ifs” are nearly unfathomable: What if I can’t maintain a safe distance in a crowded space? What if I get sick and have to go to the hospital? Where will my kids go?
 
I don’t think any of us have a clear understanding of this reality. Yet, we are blessed to participate in a ministry that helps these families find a path to stable housing in the midst of COVID-19.
 
Our experience this year has been marked by a number of differences.

• No families on site, but at a local hotel: By developing a “no contact” plan, we served the families remotely. Our volunteer drivers’ first stop was Kat Vann’s front porch, to pick up a bag of beverages and desserts for each family. Next stop: one of six local restaurant partners to pick up dinners packaged for 2 to 4 families. Finally, a touch free drop off at a Bloomington hotel.

• 7 volunteers instead of 70: A small group of the FMF leadership team packed beverages, cookies and breakfast items, generously donated by Neil Oxendale of Oxendales’s Market. A varied menu was ordered each night from local partners: Eat For Equity, Grande Sunrise, Bull’s Horn, Fat Lorenzo’s, Mama Sheila’s and Town Hall Lanes. Thanks to our volunteer drivers: Jen Dowzak, Louis Hoffman and Rebecca Hamblin. Maggie O’Groske, Barb Tauferner, Cammie and Owen Kimmes, Tanya Refshauge and Ginny Rudloff.

• A very different budget: We managed to put together a $2,000 fund to purchase 10 to 15 dinners each night for six nights from local restaurants. Much of this money came from a generous $1,000 donation from our partners at St. James Episcopal. Remaining funds from last year and unused Service Team money filled the gap. Due to the pandemic, no home cooked food was allowed this year. In comparison, our average budget in the past five years was $800.

• Different interactions: Although we waved to FMF staff at drop offs, we missed getting to know the families! Sharing a meal, hearing stories, playing games and reading to the kids was the best part of hosting. (Admittedly, I don’t miss the ear-splitting shouts of joy in the gym!)

 
A year of Zoom meetings, emails and text messages instead of seeing each other at church? It’s been challenging for all of us. HOWEVER, I am boundlessly grateful for our ability to participate in FMF this year. Just consider our blessings!

• The funds needed to buy dinners magically (divinely?) appeared.
• Hands were raised when the call for drivers went out.
• A restaurant server donated $50 towards our bill; another restaurant added food at no cost.
• Our member and local grocer continued to support our ministry.

 
Even in the face of an aggressive virus, the generosity of neighbors shines through. Yes, blessings.