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Last updated on Tuesday, March 20, 2018
(BLOOMINGTON) - On Monday,iddle Way House’s Executive Director, Debra Morrow, and Board of Director’s President, Michael DeNunzio, are announcing the agency’s decision to repurpose and lease the space which formerly housed its Food Works program.
Middle Way House has consistently strived to use its resources effectively and efficiently in its work to serve survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and human trafficking. While doing so, their leadership recognizes that there are times, such as this, in which difficult decisions must be made.
Food Works was a program with a dual purpose; a commitment to job training and economic development for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and human trafficking and a steady flow of income for Middle Way House's programs. While the concept was brilliant and many, many survivors were able to work for a living wage (with benefits) and regain their place in the local economy, the commitment was huge for Middle Way House as an agency. Food Works' financial losses were significant and persistent. It became impossible for Middle Way to subsidize Food Works to such a degree. The financial burden was beyond the agency's capacity to carry.
As a result, Food Works entered into a partnership with Bloomingfoods in July 2011 which ended in the summer of 2015, when Middle Way House entered into a lease to rent its kitchen to Bloomingfoods. That agreement included the provision that Bloomingfoods would continue, whenever possible, to hire and train Middle Way's residents. It was a successful partnership until Bloomingfoods ended the agreement in the fall of 2016 and Middle Way House found itself with an empty kitchen space resulting in the loss of significant rental income, forcing the agency to examine their options.
The board of directors and staff held numerous discussions with other local businesses and not-for-profits about potential partnerships that would be able to use the space.
They discovered their options were limited. Middle Way prioritized its existing programs and long-term survival. Middle Way House was simply in no position, financially, or otherwise, to enter into another costly endeavor if the services and programs core to the agency's mission were to survive. At that time, they made the difficult decision to utilize the space to help support its current programming costs and end the use of the Food Works space as a kitchen.
Food Works was created with the hard work, creativity, and financial investment of many, many people and organizations. Middle Way House shares the disappointment the community feels at the end of this important chapter in the agency's history. After examining and exhausting many possibilities, there was simply no other choice available.
The kitchen equipment was sold at competitive prices and the large space that previously housed Food Works is now available for rent. The income generated will support the agency's current program needs for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and human trafficking.
While this was a terribly difficult decision for the board and administration to make, they recognize that this decision will allow the space to be utilized in a productive way, while still continuing to benefit the survivors the agency serves.
"As a former client who was employed by Food Works, I see this as a sad ending of an important chapter in Middle Way House's history," said Debra Morrow, Executive Director of Middle Way House. "I also recognize that when one chapter ends a new chapter begins and I look forward to seeing this space continue to serve the community, as well as the individuals we serve, in a new way" said Morrow.
For Middle Way House's free, confidential help and crisis line, call (812) 336-0846.
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