As the days shorten and the nights get longer, the Lotus Lantern & Luminaria Program is an initiative to bring the glow of lanterns to our community and to shine a light on those working to address food and housing insecurity in Bloomington. To celebrate lantern traditions from around the world, we make lanterns that can be used decoratively in homes and businesses, or on walks, to light the way. This year’s focus is Egyptian paper lanterns. Each event in this program is also an item/fundraising drive for the organization we’re spotlighting — which, this year, is Beacon, Inc. Beacon has six major programs in Bloomington, which together help people in poverty not only survive but thrive: Shalom Center, Phil’s Kitchen, Friends Place, Street Outreach, Rapid Re-housing, and Crawford Homes. Their crucial work is much like a lantern in our community, lighting the way.

We are hosting five public lantern-making workshops & item drives for Beacon, Inc this November. They are:

November 1 ~ 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
November 8 ~ 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
November 12 ~ 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. & 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
November 15 ~ 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. 

Members of Beacon’s staff will participate in our November 1st workshop and share info about their work. The workshops culminate in a Lantern Walk around Bloomington on November 18 from 6:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m. Workshop space is limited, so sign-up is required, via Eventbrite link. If attending a workshop & able to, please bring an item or items from Beacon’s Wish List below.

• Boots – male & female adults
• Gloves & Winter Hats – adult
• Sleeping Bags & Blankets
• Tents & Tarps
• Backpacks & Rolling Suitcases
• Thermal Underwear & Jeans – adults
• Sweatpants & Sweatshirts – adults
• Deodorant & Razors
• Toothpaste & Toothbrushes
• Shampoo & Body wash
• Laundry soap – liquid
• Socks, especially wool
• Rain Ponchos & Umbrellas
• Towels & Wash Cloths
• Over-the-Counter Medications (pain relief, cold & flu, allergy, heartburn)
• Coffee & Tea
• Simple first aid supplies (band aids, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment)

*Beacon requests travel size toiletry items when possible but family size are also certainly welcome.

You can also make monetary donations to Beacon, Inc here. Please write ‘Lotus’ in the note of your donation.

About the Lantern Walk:

All are welcome to attend the Lantern Walk ( no registration required) and to bring any items to donate to Beacon, Inc. that evening as well. During the Lantern Walk on November 18th, people who have built or have a lantern will be invited on a walk that begins at the Lotus Firebay, where they can pick up a free LED tea light candle. From the Lotus Firebay, we’ll head to the B-line, and continue to the Showers Plaza. We’ll circle around and stop for a communal singing of a couple of lantern songs. We’ll then head back to the Lotus Firebay doors for some hot chocolate.

You can go here to check out the lantern walk songs that are part of our Bloomington tradition: https://www.lotusfest.org/lotus-lantern-walk-music/. We invite you to learn these songs, whose melodies are pretty simple. When you join the lantern walk, a lead will begin the songs, for everyone who knows them to join in. You can print these songs out to bring with you, or just to learn them. We’ll also have a few paper copies on hand.