Support Us

Current Needs

For the Office: large bulletin board, glue sticks, shelf dividers for our client files

For the Childcare Program: storage units with drawers to hold paper such as this or this, round or rectangle pizza pans, magnetic letters and numbers, small containers of various sizes for sorting activities like this or this.

For the Childcare Program Kitchen: 2 skillets (15-18 inches, not non-stick), large blender (48 ounces or larger - the larger, the better), extra large box grater (12" tall or larger)

For the Emergency Food Pantry: canned meats (salmon, beef stew, chili, etc.), canned vegetables (beets, potatoes, greens, etc.), powdered milk, dried beans

For the Emergency Services "Cleaning Closet": dish soap, shaving cream, household cleaners, shampoo & conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant

Childcare Program Ongoing Needs

For making playdough, flubber, and other science skill-building concoctions: flour, cream of tarter, vegetable oil, Kool-aid-style drink mixes, shaving cream, cornstarch, liquid starch, food coloring

Arts and crafts supplies: glue sticks, liquid glue, paper (construction, tissue, colored, long rolls), Crayola crayons and washable markers, non-toxic dry erase markers.

Classroom items appropriate for ages 2-6: dress-up clothes, puzzles, books, toys, musical instruments, items to view on a light table (slides, x-rays, etc.)

Operational Supplies: toothbrushes (child-sized with thin handles - contact Traci Mehay for more information), batteries (AAA and AA)

• canned meats (salmon, beef stew, chicken & dumplings)
• fruit juices, coffee, and other beverages
• baking mixes (cornbread, pancake)
• canned and dried fruit
• canned beans (black, kidney, pinto)
• frozen meat (1-2 pound ground beef, whole chickens)

• canned vegetables (carrots, greens, potatoes)

"Cleaning Closet" Ongoing Needs

Cleaning Supplies: laundry soap, general household cleaners, sponges & scrubbies, bleach, mops, trash bags

Hygiene Products: bar & liquid soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, toothpaste & toothbrushes, denture cleaning supplies, lotion

For Babies: diapers & wipes, shampoo, other baby supplies

Clothing: new socks & underwear for children & adults, men & women

Donate Your Old Cell Phone
Your old cell phone can earn money for MCUM's programs. MCUM is paid $0.50-$50, depending on the age and condition of the phone. Phones can be donated at Opportunity House, MCUM's offices, or anywhere items are collected for MCUM. You can also borrow a collection box and host a phone drive at your workplace or other location.

More Information about Cell Phone Collections
Print this Flyer for your Cell Phone Drive

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. Mail them to us, drop them off, or donate them whereever other items for MCUM are collected. For more information about this program, visit the Campbell's Labels for Education website. The list of participating brands and items might surprise you!

Clip Box Tops for Education
MCUM receives $0.10 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 (brands range from Hefty to Land O'Lakes) and save it for MCUM. Visit the Box Tops for Education website for more information. Mail them to us, drop them off, or donate them whereever other items for MCUM are collected.

Host a House Party
Help spread the word about MCUM's programs, and raise money to support those programs, by hosting a simple event in your home. For more information, click below or contact Alison Pitt, Development Associate, at 339-3429 x16.

More Information about House Parties

Donate to the Childcare Program
Your donations of art supplies and other classroom supplies help to enhance each enrolled child's classroom experience. Check out our wish list or newsletter for current needs, but donations of art supplies, dress up clothing, books, and puzzles are always welcome. Items can be dropped off at the center 7:00 am-5:30 pm or wherever other items for MCUM are collected.

Shop Marsh 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. Sign up by emailing the number from the back of your card to development@mcum.org, calling our office at (812)339-3429 x15 or visiting Marsh's website.

Support Opportunity House
Opportunity House is a non-profit resale shop, located at 907 W. 11th Street, that provides financial support to MCUM and provides clothing and needed household items to those in crisis. Opportunity House welcomes your donations of gently used items and always needs volunteers. Shoppers also welcome!

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. Make a donation or organize a drive within your congregation, workplace, club, neighborhood, or family.

"Spring Into Action!"
The annual "Spring Into Action!" Luncheon and Auction is MCUM's largest fundraising event. Interested in getting involved? You can make a donation to the auction, volunteer for the organizing committee, invite a table full of friends, or just attend this fun and entertaining event.

Donate your Fresh Produce
Our Childcare Kitchen serves two meals and an afternoon snack each day and we want to serve as much fresh, healthy produce as possible. Donations from your garden or farm will help young children grow and learn. Donations can be dropped off at the center 7:00 am-5:30 pm.

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 go to provide quality early childhood education. Call 1-800-316-6142 or visit their website for more information. MCUM’s agency number is 111307.

Celebrate with MCUM
When planning your birthday, anniversary, holiday, or other party, invite your guests to bring a donation to MCUM instead of gifts. Collect food, art supplies, children's books, or cleaning supplies. Celebrate your special occasion by helping our community's most vulnerable citizens.

All 2012 Holiday Opportunities
We have many holiday giving options on this form and letter (both legal sized documents). Your options range from restocking our tox box to providing hams and turkeys for holiday meals. Want to organize your own holiday helping opportunity? We would love to hear from you!

All of our families have been sponsored for 2012. Check out all the other holiday giving opportunities available!

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

Winter Food Drive
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? Click here for more information and a postable flier.

Santa Bags
Do you want to help a certain jolly old elf provide a goodie bag to each child in the Childcare Program when he comes to visit? This list gives you all your options to fill Santa's bags.

Santa has made his 2012 visit to our Childcare Program. Thanks to everyone who helped to fill his goodie bag!

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

Volunteer
Special volunteer opportunities for this time of year include wrapping presents, picking up food drive donations around town, and sorting a large amount of donations in the food pantry. Some Saturday hours may be available. Contact Cliff Edens at (812) 339-3429 x13.

Organizing Committee
This fun group works to continually improve and expand this event. Welcome skills include event planning, donation solitication, logistical skills, creative thinking, display creation, and marketing.

Auction Donations
Our auction has something for everyone. Art, interesting household items, certificates from local businesses, and services are all welcome.

Host a Table
Host a table for you and seven of your friends. Table hosts help to introduce new people to MCUM and are essential to the success of this event.

Ticket Sales
Help us sell tickets and promote this event at your place of worship, workplace or club.

Sponsorship
Help cover the expenses associated with the event through sponsorship. Sponsors are recognized in a variety of ways and receive tickets to the event.

Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to help set up, clean up and work during the event.