FOOD Missions    |    Missions serving CHILDREN   |    HOUSING Missions

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

WORK DAYS / VOLUNTEER SIGN UPS: 

AMAZON WISHLISTS for ITEMS NEEDED: 

HOW TO: 

(Click the Serve Week Banner to go to the Serve Week Page)

Mission of the Month: for NOVEMBER 2026
Salvation Army: ANGEL TREE

Bringing Christmas Joy:
Support the Salvation Army Angel Tree at CUMC

Every child deserves to experience the magic and joy of Christmas morning. Carmel United Methodist Church has a rich tradition of sharing Christ’s love by supporting local families during the holiday season, and this year is no exception!

Through the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, volunteers are matched with specific children (ages infant to 12) in Hamilton County. Each Angel Tag provides personalized details so you can shop for thoughtful gifts tailored directly to a child’s specific needs and wishes. When families pick up their gifts, they also have the opportunity to choose supplementary items—including books, games, clothing, and stocking stuffers—to ensure a full and joyful holiday

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What’s New for 2026: In 2025, the Salvation Army of Central Indiana provided Christmas gifts for over 6,000 children across our region. This year, the Hamilton County giveaway is consolidating at the Salvation Army Castleton Headquarters. While our 75 adopted Angels will be distributed from the Castleton facility instead of our Family Life Center (FLC), rest assured that our gifts will directly bless Hamilton County families. Additionally, CUMC will share stocking stuffer items with our own Food Pantry families throughout December to ensure local, hands-on support continues right here at home.  A list of items for Food Pantry families will be available at the Welcome Desk after Nov 15th.

Key Dates & Collection Details:
 

• Pick Up an Angel Tag: Available in the Gathering Place between Sunday services on November 1st and November 8th, or anytime by emailing missions@carmelumc.org.
• Return Gifts: Please bring unwrapped presents with your tag to the Gathering Place or Main Office by Sunday, November 15th so our team can transport them to Castleton.
   

If you have any questions, please contact
Beth Lotti, Margaret Kettle, or Jenny LeVora.

Thank you for your incredible generosity, commitment, and heart for these children. Your gift-giving truly makes a lasting difference in the lives of our neighbors!

      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: 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

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps supplement food for anyone in need of support. To learn more click here.

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)

Additional ways to support Soup’s On:

• To-Go meals & Supplies: Help pick up bananas, assemble PB&J sandwiches, help residents at Independence Village assemble lunch bags.(sign up button below)
• Pantry Donations: Donate essential dignity items to stock the Soup’s On Pantry. See the Amazon list link here, or the button below, in addition to any throw blankets, and good used condition backpacks.
• Plarn Mats: Help weave plastic yarn (plarn) mats to keep our neighbors without homes warm & insulated during this upcoming winter.

Ready to get involved or have questions?

Contact the missions team at missions@carmelumc.org

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. We serve our school district by 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 

SALVATION ARMY:
ANGEL TREE

      Through the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, volunteers are matched with specific children (ages infant to 12) in Hamilton County. Each Angel Tag provides personalized details so you can shop for thoughtful gifts tailored directly to a child’s specific needs and wishes. When families pick up their gifts, they also have the opportunity to choose supplementary items—including books, games, clothing, and stocking stuffers—to ensure a full and joyful holiday