HHFB Community Book Fair Starts October 15

Hoosier Hills Food Bank will present the 42nd Annual Community Book Fair from October 15-20, 2026 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds.  This treasured event will again feature a wide selection of two buildings worth of books, games, puzzles, movies and music at bargain prices to support the food bank’s hunger relief programs.

The Book Fair will kick off Thursday, October 15^th at 9am.  Opening Day carries a $10 admission fee, but it’s also Veteran’s Appreciation Day and veterans are welcome for free admission.  All other days are free admission. This year’s schedule is:

• Thursday, October 15, 9am-7pm.  Admission $10, veterans and active duty military are free.  Monroe County Veterans Services info table with staff available to assist veterans.  Weenies on Wheels food truck. The Fizzory specialty drinks 11-3.
• Friday, October 16, 9am-7pm.  FREE Admission.  Guests of all ages are encouraged to come in Halloween costumes in order to participate in a Trick or Treat event, stopping in at locations around the book fair with a punch card to enter a drawing for great prizes. Trick or Treat will take place 10am-3pm. Weenies on Wheels food truck.
• Saturday, October 17, 9am-6pm.  FREE Admission.  Adoptable Animals from Bloomington Animal Shelter 11am-1pm. Weenies on Wheels food truck. Honey Brew Coffee 11-3.
• Sunday, October 18, 9am-6pm. FREE Admission. Half-price Day.  Heroes Day – firefighters and fire trucks 12-3pm. Honey Brew Coffee 11-3.
• Monday, October 19, 9am-6pm. FREE Admission. $10 Bag Day, $20 Bags for Better Books, limit 2.
• Tuesday, October 20, 9am-6pm.  FREE Admission. $5 Bag Day. Better Books Closed.

An estimated 100,000 items will be available for sale including fiction and non-fiction hardback and paperback books of all categories, DVDs, CDs, LPs, games, puzzles and some specialty items including maps, ephemera and a large selection of new, unopened CDs and DVDs.  The Better Books section includes a large number of antique, rare, signed and collectible books as well as graphic novels, manga and some comics.  The selection of both general and vintage (Better Books) children’s books is larger than ever this year and as usual, there is a large horror/science fiction section and lots of craft books and supplies.

A selection of locally made bowls from the Soup Bowl benefit will also be available for sale and make great holiday gifts. Snacks, including Chocolate Moose ice cream, will be available for purchase and Weenies on Wheels food truck will be on hand Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a great selection of hot dogs, walking tacos, lemonade and more.  Specialty drinks from The Fizzory will be available Thursday and Honey Brew Coffee will be on site Saturday and Sunday. Adoptable animals from the Bloomington Animal Shelter will be available to interview potential new human companions on Saturday, October 17 and Trucks and firefighters from Monroe Fire Protection District will be at the book fair for Heroes Day on Sunday, October 18 from noon-3pm.

Monroe County Veteran’s Services will be on hand during Opening Day to support area veterans with information.  And once again, HHFB will also partner with Constellation Stage to promote their upcoming performances of R. L. Stine’s Goosebumps the Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium.  Constellation will provide an information table and discount ticket opportunities.

Book Fair prices are generally $3 for hardbacks and $1 for paperbacks, with children’s books priced at $1 for hardbacks and 50 cents for paperbacks.  Other prices are $3 for DVDs and $2 for CDs and 50 cents for LPs.  All Better Books and some other items are priced individually.

Sponsors help defray the costs involved in hosting the book fair.  This year’s corporate sponsors include:  Novo Nordisk, Boston Scientific, Finney Hospitality Group, Garnish Catering, Hoosier Energy, Indiana Daily Student, Lamar Advertising Company, Monroe County Fairgrounds, Morgenstern’s Books, One World Enterprises, Republic Services, Southside Rental and Strauser Construction.

Donations for the book fair are accepted year round except in October.  Gently used books, DVDs, CDs, LPs, Puzzles and Games are welcome.  Magazines, Cassettes and VHS tapes are not accepted.  But donors are strongly requested to hold any book donations until November.

The Book Fair is a fundraising event for HHFB, a non-profit organization rescuing, collecting and distributing food to neighbors facing food insecurity and the agencies that serve them.  HHFB supports over 80 partner agencies in Brown, Lawrence, Orange, Owen, Martin and Monroe Counties and provides a dozen monthly mobile pantry distributions which together reach over 55,000 households on average.

Pantry 279 is in need of medium to large size boxes, as they go through 100 - 120 per day to package and deliver food to their food pantry clients.

If you have boxes, please take them to the Pantry 279 at 501 E Temperance Street in Ellettsville on Saturdays. Boxes can be accepted between 10 a.m-2 p.m. Earlier the better so we can pack them for the drive-through pickups.

There is a concentrated effort to bring much-needed groceries and supplies to Boys & Girls Club member families living in the Crestmont Community. Nearly 60 families have already benefited from this initiative, and the efforts have now even expanded to serve Lincoln Street Club families in need!
 
Drop-offs are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Ferguson Crestmont Club (1111 W. 12th Street).
Deliveries will be made to families in-need every Friday.

If you would like to help, the online list of needs and a signup sheet are available at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org

Bloomington Volunteer Network

Looking to volunteer in our community? Various organizations have a variety of ongoing needs. To check out opportunities, go to bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org

You can also check out their calendar for a variety of events put on by non-profit organizations!

Mother Hubbard's Cupboard

Mother Hubbard's Cupboard increases access to healthy food for all people in need in ways that cultivate dignity, self-sufficiency, and community. To get involved by donating or volunteering, go to mhcfoodpantry.org

ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION OFFERS CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS

The Alzheimer's Association Greater Indiana Chapter hosts support groupS across the state for unpaid care partners, family members and friends of individuals living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. Support groups are free and designed to provide emotional, educational and social support for caregivers. 

Bloomington Spouse Support Group

IU Health Hospital, Community Health Building

333 Miller Drive

First and third Wednesday of the month at 3:30pm