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 go to www.target.com 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 mcumfund@bloomington.in.us. 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. If you are planning ahead, check out last year's information below for inspiration. Updated lists and opportunities will be available by late October 2011.

2010 Opportunities for Holiday Helping:
MCUM offers a Christmas matching program for families enrolled in the Childcare Program. If you would like to "adopt" a family or see a list of holiday giving options, this form and letter (both legal sized documents) give you the scoop.

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

The 2010 Winter Food Drive runs through the end of the year.  Can you organize a 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 339-3429 or mcumhelp@bloomington.in.us.

Do you want to help a certain jolly old elf provide a goodie bag to each child in the Childcare Program?  This list gives you all your options.

Would you like to restock the Childcare Program's toy box or donate other needed supplies?  Here is a list of what the center needs this year.

Spring Luncheon 

Mark your calendars for Sunday, April 3, 2011 and plan to join us at the Bloomington-Monroe County Convention Center for the 7th annual "Spring Into Action!" Luncheon and Auction. Doors open at 11:30, a buffet lunch will be served at 12:30.

How can you get involved? Contact Rebecca Stanze, Development Coordinator, for more information about any of these options:

• Donate an item to the auction. Art, interesting household items, certificates from local businesses, and services are all welcome.
• Volunteer to sell tickets and promote the event at your place of worship, workplace or club.
• Join the organizing committee to help make sure the event is a success.
• Help 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.
• Volunteer 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 email to 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.