LP Conducts Hot Meal Outreach at Adelaide and Gravel Pits Encampments

Wednesday, November 26th, 2025

This afternoon, six members of the Lumina Project, board members Parker, Evan, and Drew, alongside general body members Jack, Lucas, and Nick, returned to the Adelaide and Gravel Pits unhoused encampments to deliver a warm, home-cooked meal to our neighbors in need. As temperatures begin to drop and the winter season approaches, our team feels a renewed urgency to continue addressing food insecurity within the Bloomington-Normal community.

Today’s meal was a hearty pasta bake prepared with 6 pounds of turkey sausage, 10 jars of marinara sauce, and nearly seven gallon-sized bags of cooked pasta. The goal was simple: provide warmth, nourishment, and a moment of comfort to those who often go without. Along with the hot meal, we also provided approximately 12 pounds of fresh grapes, 3 boxes of dessert mini-cakes, a dozen energy drinks, and two dozen cream sodas. The smell of the meal simmering, the sound of conversation, and the sight of community members lining up with gratitude reminded us once again why this work matters so deeply.

Pictures of the Lumina Project team preparing the meal.

Today, we targeted our outreach efforts to the members of the unhoused encampments, Adelaide and the Gravel Pits. With winter quickly approaching, the challenges faced by our unhoused community members become even more urgent. Access to consistent, nutritious meals is critical, not just for sustaining physical health, but for preserving dignity, hope, and human connection. Today’s outreach served as another reminder that small acts of care can spark meaningful change. A hot meal may seem simple, but for someone facing the cold months ahead, it can be a lifeline, an assurance that they have not been forgotten.

We begin our day with distribution to the folks at the Gravel Pits encampment.

LP outreach team at the Gravel Pits encampment.

Upon starting at the Gravel Pits encampment, we saw several familiar faces from previous encounters. We were able to catch up with inhabitants such as Mike and Rex, whom we had initially met and talked with at a previous engagement two weeks ago. Through conversation with them, we sought to understand how we could best allocate our efforts to provide support to those in need during the upcoming winter months. They indicated that while they were struggling in the cold, they ultimately found strength and resilience in their situation. They also showed overwhelming gratitude. For many, a hot meal is not something that can be taken for granted, and the opportunity to share one felt especially meaningful.

At the Gravel Pits, we were also able to connect with more familiar faces, folks such as Johnny, Richard, and Lawrence. Over the howling wind, we offered our hot meals and supportive dialogue. This outreach was more than a distribution of food; it was a continuation of relationships. We were able to talk with these folks about their current struggles as the winter progresses, and if/how their needs are being addressed. All members of the camp were extremely gracious and welcoming of our presence. Many of the residents recognized our team members from previous visits, greeting them by name or with a warm wave.

Other members of the camp spoke candidly about their ongoing battles with addiction, which have caused tense family relations and disconnection during the holiday season. One such inhabitant indicated that she lost her brother four years ago and has had ongoing mental health issues, which came to a head in the previous year. Although she's doing better now, she still struggles with the grips of her previous opioid addiction and has consistently been on the path to sobriety while balancing the struggles of being homeless.

Through our dialogue, we once again tried to take note of their needs, which we hope to be able to address. Things for warmth, such as tarps, blankets, kerosene, and dry firewood, were at the top of their lists. As we plan future engagements, we will keep these needs in mind so we can meet the needs of those who need them most.

After finishing our conversations with the folks at the Gravel Pits, we commemorated the moment in fellowship with a group prayer. These moments are at the heart of the Lumina Project's mission. Each person we meet is more than their circumstance; they are part of our community, deserving of care, dignity, and hope.

Following our outreach at the Gravel Pits, we made our way over to the Adelaide encampment, where we also provided our hot food meals and other various food items.

Members of the LP outreach team distributing hot meals at the Adelaide homeless encampment.

As we moved through the Adelaide encampment with trays of pasta bake in hand, familiar faces began to emerge from tents and makeshift shelters. Our friends Drew and Josh made an appearance. Josh said that although the food was amazing, he said it could use some sugar for sweetness and hot sauce for spice. These were tips that he learned while previously training as a cook. His lightheartedness set a positive tone for the afternoon, reminding us that even in difficult circumstances, humor and warmth have a place.

Several took a moment to introduce themselves to our newer volunteers, shaking hands and offering gratitude in their own ways. These conversations, brief yet meaningful, reminded us how much relationships matter in outreach work. A shared meal often opens the door to deeper understanding. We also saw our friend Amy, who mentioned that she had been starving, and food was the only thing on her mind. Our food was a saving grace for her.

One of the most memorable moments came when a small group began helping each other carry plates back to their tents, making sure no one got left out. Watching that simple act of care unfold within the encampment underscored something we always see but never take for granted: community exists everywhere, even in the harshest conditions. People look out for one another. People support one another. And today, we were grateful to be part of that circle of care.

LP Outreach Team: Jack, Lucas, Evan, Parker, Nick, and Drew (Left to Right)

Today’s engagement reaffirmed something we’ve witnessed again and again: people thrive when they feel seen. A warm meal can lift spirits, but it’s the conversation, the dignity, and the simple acknowledgment of another human being that leaves a lasting impact. As we walked away from Adelaide, we carried with us the stories we heard, the gratitude we saw, and the resilience we felt within the encampment. The challenges ahead, especially with winter’s approach, are real and pressing. But days like today renew our belief that even in difficult moments, hope is not only possible but alive and present in the connections we build. The Lumina Project remains committed to walking alongside our unhoused community members with compassion, consistency, and purpose.