Support Us

Financial support from the community is crucial to the ongoing success of our programs and is the type of support we need most. Food donations are also essential to MCUM's Emergency Food Pantry. However, there are many other ways you can contribute. If you have questions about any of these options or want to know more about how you can get involved, please contact us.

Get Involved!

• Donate to the Emergency Services Program: In addition to non-perishable food, this program also distributes cleaning supplies, hygiene items, new socks and underwear for adults and children. This program also also welcomes donations of brown paper grocery sacks and travel-sized toiletries.
• Save your Campbell's labels: We are able to redeem these labels for classroom equipment and supplies. When you buy Campbell's products, clip the box top icon and the UPC code. For more information about this program, visit the Campbell's Labels for Education web site. The list of participating projects might surprise you!
• Clip your General Mills Box Tops for Education: MCUM receives $.10 for each clipped box top. That might not sound like much, but they add up quickly! Just clip the Box Tops logo from any General Mills package and save it for MCUM. Visit the Box Tops for Education web site for more information. Box tops and labels can be donated anywhere that food or other items are collected for MCUM.
• Shop Smart at Target: Name the Monroe County United Ministries Childcare Program to receive benefits from your Target charge card. 1% of your Target Visa or Target Card purchases will be donated to the school. Call 1-800-316-6142 or visit their website for more information. MCUM’s agency number is 111307.
• Fresh Ideas for MCUM: When you shop at Marsh or O'Malia's and use your Fresh Idea Card, a percentage of your purchase can benefit MCUM's Childcare Program. The points that MCUM earns when you shop allow us to order art supplies, craft materials, and classroom supplies. The easiest way to enroll is to email the number from the back of your card to development@mcum.org. You can also call our office at (812)339-3429 with your card number.

• Support Opportunity House: Opportunity House is a non-profit resale shop, located at 907 W. 11th Street, that provides financial support to MCUM. They welcome your donations of gently used items and always need volunteers.
• Donate Your Old Cell Phone: We can turn your old cell phone into funds to support our programs. When you upgrade your cell phone, please stop to consider the best way to dispose of your old phone responsibly. Many "recycling" programs ships electronic equipment to developing countries to be processed in ways that put human lives and natural resources at risk. MCUM is paid per phone ($0.50 - $35, depending on age and condition) by an organization that has zero landfill and no-export policies. Phones can be donated at the TIS Bookstore, Opportunity House, MCUM's offices, or anywhere food is collected for MCUM.
• Get Involved with MCUM's Spring Luncheon: This annual event is MCUM's largest fundraiser. You can make a donation to the auction, volunteer for the organizing committee, or just attend this fun and entertaining event.

A printable list of ways you can support MCUM is available here. Please post it on a bulletin board, reprint it in a newsletter, share it with your friends, or otherwise helping to spread the word about how easy it is to support MCUM's programs. From simply staying informed to organizing a drive for food, diapers or art supplies, the options are almost endless!

Holiday Helping

The winter holidays offer inspiration and many opportunities for community groups and individuals to get involved. From adopting a family to helping out a certain jolly old elf, you can make a difference for the families we serve. If you have questions or need more information about these opportunities, contact Meri Reinhold at 339-3429 x11.

Updated information regarding 2012 will be available in October. Meanwhile, the 2011 information is available here to give you a sense of our holiday helping opportunities.

Opportunities for Holiday Helping in 2011:

We have many holiday giving options on this form and letter (both legal sized documents). Your options range from adopting a family for Christmas to restocking our tox box to providing hams and turkeys for holiday meals.

Are you interested in providing holiday food baskets to local families?  Check out the food basket checklist and instructions.

MCUM's Winter Food Drive takes place in November and December.  Can you organize a food drive within your congregation, at your workplace, or within your club? Would you like to volunteer? Drivers are needed to pick up food around town and deliver it to the pantry. Contact Cliff Edens at (812) 339-3429.

Do you want to help you-know-who (hint: his belly resembles a bowl full of jelly!) provide a goodie bag to each child in the Childcare Program?  This list gives you all your options to fill Santa's bags.

Would you like to restock the Childcare Program's toy box or donate other needed supplies?  Check out this list of needed items.

Spring Luncheon 

Mark your calendars for the "Spring Into Action" Luncheon and Auction, which will be held on Sunday, April 29, 2012. Contact Rebecca Stanze at (812) 339-3429 for more information about:

• Serving on the organizing committee.
• Donating to the auction. Art, interesting household items, certificates from local businesses, and services are all welcome.
• Selling tickets and promoting the event at your place of worship, workplace or club.
• Helping to cover the expenses associated with the event by being a sponsor. Sponsors are recognized in a variety of ways and receive tickets to the event.
• Volunteering to help with event set-up and clean-up.

Take Action for MCUM!

Not sure how you would like to get involved? Check out this list of options:

• Sign up to receive MCUM’s newsletter via mail or email.
• Create a MCUM bulletin board at your congregation or school.
• Write to your elected official about issues that concern you and MCUM.
• Add a link to MCUM’s web site (www.mcum.org) to your web site.
• Call (812)339-3429 to schedule at tour of MCUM’s programs.
• Request a MCUM speaker for your faith community, school or civic group.
• Volunteer in the food pantry.
• Demonstrate your hobby or skill to a childcare classroom.
• Tell your friends about Monroe County United Ministries.
• Attend MCUM’s annual "Spring Into Action!" Luncheon.
• Share your MCUM newsletter with others.
• “Like” MCUM on Facebook.
• “Like” Opportunity House on Facebook.
• Donate your used items to Opportunity House.
• Volunteer as a cashier or sorter at Opportunity House.
• Shop for clothes and household items at Opportunity House.
• Help with the maintenance and care of our buildings and grounds.
• Volunteer in the childcare classrooms. You can read, play, lead games, swim, etc.
• Volunteer in the childcare kitchen.
• Help with office work by volunteering to file, copy or answer the phone.
• Volunteer to collect food donations at sites around the community.
• Share your language skills by serving as a translator as needed.
• Serve on MCUM’s Board of Directors.
• Develop handouts on basic nutrition for clients receiving food from the pantry.
• Volunteer to develop and implement a science project in one of the childcare classrooms.
• Adopt a childcare family in need of Christmas assistance.
• Donate a holiday food basket in December.
• Volunteer once a month to help prepare the newsletter for mailing.
• Make a regular monetary contribution.
• Name MCUM as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy.
• Make a tax-deductible gift of stock.
• Designate MCUM (#3111307) as your beneficiary of the Target Shoppers Program.
• Walk in the CROP Walk each October.
• Donate to MCUM’s endowment at the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.
• Give to United Way of Monroe County.
• Name MCUM as a beneficiary on your retirement plan.
• Donate food or funds during the Feinstein Challenge (March and April).
• Sponsor a swimmer in the Childcare Program so all kids have the chance to learn to swim.
• Walk in the annual Homeward Bound Walk in April.
• Make a bequest to MCUM in your will or trust.
• Donate to the rent, mortgage & utility assistance fund to prevent homelessness.
• Contact your bank about making a regular donation through electronic transfer.
• Choose MCUM as the beneficiary on your Marsh Shopper Card.
• Collect Campbell’s Labels for Education (UPC with logo) to support the Childcare Program.
• Donate cleaning and hygiene supplies to be distributed to MCUM’s clients.
• Donate leftover fabric and other sewing notions to be used in childcare art projects.
• As your children outgrow their books, donate them to the childcare library.
• Collect General Mills box tops to support MCUM’s Childcare Program.
• Donate a turkey and or ham to a family in need of Christmas assistance.
• Donate your old cell phones, which MCUM can convert to cash.
• Donate gently used bikes and tricycles to the Childcare Program.
• Knit or crochet hats, mittens, and scarves in children and adult sizes.
• Donate office supplies or gift certificates for supplies to help reduce administrative costs.
• Donate your talent – writing, handyman services, gardening, etc.
• Collect hotel toiletries when you travel and donate them to the Emergency Services Program.
• After your yard sale, donate remaining items to Opportunity House.
• Make buying food for the Emergency Food Pantry a regular part of your grocery shopping.
• Share the extra fresh produce from your garden with the Childcare Program.
• Save and donate your brown paper sacks to the Emergency Food Pantry.
• Create a permanent MCUM collection box for your faith community, school or club.
• Organize an art and school supply drive for MCUM’s preschool children.
• Encourage your faith community to make a regular monetary donation.
• Organize a food drive at work.
• Ask your service or civic organization to support MCUM.
• Bring your family in for a day of volunteering in the food pantry.
• Organize a mitten tree to collect winter wear for Emergency Services clients.
• Invite a MCUM representative to speak to your service or civic group.
• Call (812) 339-3429 or emailto schedule a tour of MCUM's programs for your group.
• Volunteer to serve on the Spring Luncheon planning committee.
• Invite your friends to volunteer with you.
• Share your musical talent by demonstrating your instrument for a childcare classroom.