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 our current location at 1928 Arlington Rd. This doubled the floor space of the two previous stores.
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.
