FOOD Missions    |    Missions serving CHILDREN   |    HOUSING Missions

Ready to get involved? Sign up at: WAYS TO SERVE page

Click here for the 2025 BINGO CARD

Click the image above to view the current WEEKLY WANTS at the CUMC Food Pantry. 

Mission of the Month: for December 2025
Carmel UMC Food Pantry

          This year - 2025 - has been an exciting and challenging year for the Food Pantry. We continue to fulfill our mission of showing the love of Christ to our neighbors in need by providing free and healthy food choices.

         The number of guests visiting the Food Pantry each month has decreased to approximately 350 guests per month. That equates to 1400 adults and children who are receiving much needed food each month. We are uncertain as to the reason for the decrease from 2024 but pray it is due to greater financial stability for some of our guests.

         Although food prices have risen this year, the Food Pantry is in solid financial shape. The balance sheet is in the black due to financial and in-kind donations from individuals, businesses and non-profits. We especially appreciate the $33,000 grant from the Hamilton County Public Health Department earlier this year.

         Our volunteers are the life blood of the food pantry. From shoppers to stockers to guest shoppers, they keep the food pantry running smoothly and provide a welcoming environment for our neighbors to shop.

         Partnerships with the community abound and are too numerous to mention. One of our primary partners is Meijer. Through their Simply Give Campaigns and special donations, Meijer has donated more than $28,000 in gift cards just this year. Their contribution allows shoppers to purchase fresh food items weekly for our guests.

         As the holidays approach and we think back over this past year, we are grateful for the support of Carmel United Methodist Church's members and staff. The food pantry opened in 1992, and we look forward to many more years to come.

         Don’t forget Meijer’s Simply Give program in the month of December

and to visit carmelumc.org/christmas for your Food Pantry reverse Advent Bingo card!!

Questions? Feel free to contact missions@carmelumc.org

THANK YOU!

to every person who donated items, money, time, and more to the efforts of Serve Week 2025. So many neighbors were helped, and so many missions were supported! 

      The CUMC Food Pantry serves about 400 families each month. We partner with local churches, school organizations and members of the community to serve healthy food to HAMILTON COUNTY RESIDENTS. Please bring: a photo ID and proof of residence, such as a utility bill or rental agreement, with you when you visit the food pantry.

      Since 2022, St Christopher's Episcopal Church, Carmel Christian Church, Cornerstone Lutheran, and Noblesville First UMC, have donated bounty from their own gardens to the CUMC Food Pantry. Orchard Park Presbyterian Church donates all of the eggs given to guests of the pantry.

If you are interested in volunteering in the Food Pantry, fill out the form at THIS LINK. If you have never volunteered at the pantry, please sign up for a Newbie Shift for training before you volunteer as a Guest Shopper. Newbie Shifts are every Tuesday night 5-7pm and Saturday 11am-1pm.

You can also email foodpantry@carmelumc.org

Soup's On joins Roberts Park UMC in downtown Indianapolis to serve meals to the hungry and homeless of downtown Indy on Sundays each week. Meals are provided from 12-1pm. Personal hygiene items are also available. CUMC serves several times per year. Contact Natalie Oehler at nataliejoehler@gmail.com about volunteering to serve. Read more about 'Soup's On' on page 13 of theAugust 2025 edition of THE CONTACT - (click here) ... and past information can be found on page 5 of the July 2023 edition of THE CONTACT - (click here)

If you would like to make the SINGLE LAYER TIE FLEECE BLANKETS that are used in the Bags of Hope mission, find the instructions at this link: https://carmelumc.org/mt-content/uploads/2023/09/blanket-instructions.pdf 

They need over 500 blankets each year!

BAGS OF HOPE

Most children in foster care enter with nothing of their own. Bags of Hope provides foster children with their own mongrammed duffle bag filled with books, blankets, toys and a few item that will hopefully bring them joy.

More Info HERE.

CARMEL COAT CLOSET

Carmel Coat Closet serves students at Carmel Clay Schools, as well as adults. New this year, each church will be serving their school district in deeper ways connecting directly with the schools in their community and the counselors or social workers to reach kids that need a coat not only at the giveaway, but also on a school-level until winter is over.

More Info HERE.

carmelumc.org/coats 

We have a list of popular items on our AMAZON WISHLIST, if you would like to buy online and have it shipped to: 

Carmel United Methodist Church

c/o CARMEL COAT CLOSET MISSION

621 South Rangeline Road

Carmel, IN 46032
(shop the wishlist by clicking the button below)

SALVATION ARMY:
ANGEL TREE

      This is our fifth year working with the Salvation Army for the Angel Tree Program. Our CUMC leaders are Beth Lotti and Margaret Kettle. They led the Christmas drive in November and met with the Salvation Army to map out the Family Life Center (FLC) and the volunteer slots for set-up and the event on December 6!