Crowdfunding campaign aims to address food desert in Northwest Landing

The Aspire Higher Foundation is raising funds to build a new grocery store in the heart of historic Northwest Landing, a neighborhood considered by residents to be a food desert.

The crowdfunding campaign would help fund the site, planned to include a grocery store, an art therapy studio and a café being built on the corner opposite of Aspire House, the group’s flagship community hub housed in a renovated firehouse.

The planned store, called Bloom + Brew, is part of a larger revitalization project in the area.

Aspire Higher Foundation Co-Founder Sharon Clark said crowdfunding is an important tool for members of the community to directly contribute to positive change.

“The greatest gain is the awareness that people get about their ability to help someone else that they don't even know,” Clark said. “We can make a difference, and we can do it here in the community, at this level.”

Nearby community gardens would help supply produce to the new grocery store.

The online campaign’s goal is to raise $50,000, which would make them eligible to receive an additional $50,000 in matching funds supplied by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

After the current fundraising campaign ends, Clark said the group intends to continue raising funds for later phases of construction.

Contact WFYI Digital Producer and Reporter Jeremy Reuben at jreuben@wfyi.org.