Mission

The CUMC Food Pantry serves about 300 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 proof of residence, such as a driver's license and/or utility bill with you when you visit the food pantry.

In 2022, St Christopher's Episcopal Church, Carmel Christian Church, Cornerstone Lutheran, and Pilgrim Lutheran, 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

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.

How can you help?:

collecting coats in your neighborhood, business, or team - you can find printables here: kidscoats.org/collect-coats - Did you know that anyone age 11 and older wears an adult-sized coat? We especially need these sizes!!!

Sierra Leone Mission Team January 2023 | Jessica Stevens writes:

"Our team from Operation Classroom and Carmel UMC is wrapping up its first week with our partners, Carmel Preschool and Taiama Enterprise Academy in Sierra Leone! The worldwide UMC is working alongside the Sierra Leone UMC to bring education, healthcare and churches to the communities here. We’ve spent the week building relationships and learning so much from amazing Sierra Leoneans".
READ MORE about the Sierra Leone trip on page 5 of the
March issue of The CONTACT.

The United Methodist Churches across Indiana partner with United Methodist Churches in Sierra Leone & Liberia to ensure children have access to education. Carmel UMC partners specifically with the schools in Sierra Leone, including the Taiama Enterprise Academy, to provide school supplies, scholarships and room & board to students.

Pastor Daisy Gbloh is from Sierra Leone. She served as part of the CUMC staff for 18 months (Feb 2022- Aug 2023) while she studied at United Theological Seminary.

The Angel Tree program looked a little different from previous years, Santa's Workshop was set up right here at CUMC! We needed LOTS of help to setup the FLC and volunteers to help guide families through and help them shop for their kids. We are grateful for those who signed up.

UPDATE: All of the ANGELS were adopted quickly!! and the gifts will be brought back to the church by November 24th.

This event will need MANY volunteers to help on Dec. 6-7.

Sign ups are located here: CLICK HERE!

Donations of gift wrap and gift bags are being received at the church office. You can leave them in the wagon outside the office door.

THANK YOU to all those who donated and helped...for sharing the joy of Christmas with those in need in our neighborhood. Questions? You can contact Beth (brlotti52@gmail.com) or Margaret (mkettle@indy.rr.com).

Family Promise is the nation's leading organization working to prevent and end family homelessness. Carmel UMC was one of the founding partner churches to get this non-profit started in the Indianapolis area. What began as churches providing food and shelter in the winter months has turned into furnishing apartments to help provide stability for homeless families and most especially their children.

We collected items in May 2024 for an apartment to be furnished for a family in July. Thank you to everyone who contributed so many lovely things to make this new place a home for this family.

Click here for closed dates and weather closing policy.