Beacon is over halfway to its funding goal for a new facility on the West side.
The service and shelter provider for people experiencing homelessness in Bloomington is currently on South Walnut Street.
Tuesday night's "Light the Way" walk kicked off the public portion of fund raising.
Beacon Executive Director Forrest Gilmore said the goal is to raise $2.3 million from individuals, businesses and faith communities by spring.
The project is more expensive than Beacon initially expected, Gilmore said. But they are about 55 percent of the way to their fundraising goal.
“I'm not sure if I knew where we were going to end up, if we would have thought was possible for us to take this on," Gilmore said. "But, we are doing it. We're getting it done. We will and can.”
Gilmore said in total, Beacon wants to raise $15 million in grants and $5 million from community appeal. Right now, it has raised approximately $8.3 million from grants and $2.7 from individual community donors.
Read more: Beacon receives city BZA approval for site on West Third Street
The new facility will provide overnight shelter and services on its first floor. The second floor will have 30 apartments, five of which will be designated for people participating in work exchange with Beacon.
State Senator Shelli Yoder said the facility brings services and shelter under one roof. She listed times in Bloomington's history it took on new community investments, like the founding of Indiana University more than 200 years ago and starting a needle exchange program in 2016.
“We believe in big ideas, we believe in best practices, and we believe in each other," Yoder said. "And that's what this project is all about."
The city of Bloomington has contributed $600,000 to the new facility and the Monroe County Commissioners have contributed $500,000.
