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 History
Backstreet
Missions, Inc. began in Spencer, Indiana
in 1995 with the opening of an 8-bed shelter for homeless men. After
a 3-year period the owners were desirous of selling the property and
the Mission moved into a smaller 4-bed facility on Smith Pike in
Bloomington, Indiana until the opening of the larger 20-bed shelter
on May 6, 2002 located at 215 S. Westplex Ave.
In 1997, the Mission started a small Thrift Store in Ellettsville
area, then moved to 630 S. Patterson in Bloomington in 1998. This
expansion also included a Food Pantry/Assistance outreach to those
in need. A second Thrift Store offering Boutique items was opened in
1999 off Curry Pike in a small shopping center. In 2000, both stores
were combined at 1928 Arlington Rd. This doubled the floor space of
the two previous stores, however the store was closed in June, 2011
due to economic conditions.
A small 4-bed women’s shelter called Agape House, was opened at 1504
S. College Ave. in the latter part of 1997. A new larger women’s
shelter opened at 400 Opportunity Lane in March 2008 which houses 11
women and up to 20 children at a time.
Geno’s Cafeteria “soup kitchen” began serving free prepared meals to
the public in 2003 and serves an average of 100 people daily 6 days
a week. A delivery of week-end meals is supplied to those in need at
a local apartment complex through the Cafeteria also.
An annual Thanksgiving and Christmas outreach began in the early
part of the ministry and continues today.
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