BLOOMINGTON -- A piece of equipment key to preparing 40 turkeys for Thanksgiving at Home Sweet Home Ministries recently broke, forcing an unexpected $6,000 expense.

Spokeswoman Sabrina Burkiewicz said the 15-year-old steamer broke beyond repair a few months ago. Staff has been looking for a used replacement and had one in mind, only to have the deal fall through.

A new one had to be purchased because the steamer is needed to prepare the annual Thanksgiving meal that is delivered to homes and served at the Billy Shelper Center, Burkiewicz said.

The agency was able to find a good deal -- about the cost of a used one -- but it's still an unexpected expense, she said.

"We have to look at our operating budget and figure out where we can do without -- supplies, equipment..." she said. "Worst-case scenario, we might have to reduce part-time staff hours, making it more difficult for our clients."

The expense comes at a time when fundraising is down $21,000, she said.

It's the second year in a row that Home Sweet Home has been hit with a major expense right before the holidays. Last year, the boiler in the building broke and a small fire erupted. An anonymous donor helped cover half of the $4,000 cost to repair the boiler.

Home Sweet Home, 303 E. Oakland Ave., typically prepares about 500 Thanksgiving meals.