Our History

Over twenty years ago, a single mother at Illinois State University started receiving bags of groceries at her door from an anonymous donor. As this practice continued, the single mom began to pray and started setting aside a portion of the groceries to share with others in need. Her prayer was that as long as the Lord continued to provide, she would continue to share.

This simple act of obedience to the Lord of sharing what God has provided became the humble beginnings of Center for Hope Outreach. Operating out of many different locations throughout our community, Center for Hope Outreach eventually landed in the center of Bloomington Normal in the present location at 1308 E. Empire where hundreds have been blessed with food and clothing.

In December of 2023, the director of Center for Hope Outreach passed away from a courageous fight with cancer. At that time the Bishop of Center for Hope Church approached neighboring Charis Community Church with an offer to purchase the outreach building and continue the ministry. Charis Church was eager to accept this offer to expand its footprint into our community and their associate pastor and his wife became the new directors.

The name was then changed to Oasis Community Outreach, reflecting the desire to be a place of safety and blessing for our neighbors in need where they will be treated with dignity and respect. Oasis is humbled and grateful to continue the promise this outreach was founded upon; that as long as the Lord continues to provide, we will continue to share.

We are blessed to live in a caring and compassionate community in which Oasis is able to build upon its storied past through old and new ministry partnerships. God is using the ministry of Oasis significantly in our community and He is blessing the work abundantly.