In the year 2023, Chum is commemorating 50 years of serving those most in need in our community. This is cause for both celebration and mourning. Celebration because Chum has brought people together for service and solutions for half a century, and mourning because it has been necessary. Starting with my parents, and down to our kids, our family has been active Chum supporters for decades, because they are on the front lines of poverty, hunger and homelessness in Duluth, personally encountering our neighbors experiencing crises.
50 years ago, Chum was offering services for young people and elderly shut ins, a food shelf, and worship services for developmentally disabled adults. Today, Chum's programming includes:
- Food shelf, with two locations and a van for deliveries
- Congregate shelter
- Family shelter
- Steve O'Neil Apartments for chronically homeless families with children
- St. Francis Apartments for older and chronically ill residents
- Congregational Outreach, to provide vehicles for people of faith to live out their call
- Street Outreach, meeting with those who are hardest to house to ensure their immediate needs are being met
- Many other programs
All of this happens because of you.
Please consider a contribution to this amazing and loving work. There are many ways to give.
- Attend the Golden Gala on October 17. You can register here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5075456
- $20 provides someone a night of shelter.
- Commit to a $50/month donation. By the end of the year, that level donation would provide someone with shelter accommodations for almost a month, dry socks or mittens to 300 people living outside, or 1,800 meals.
- $83 to honor how old my parents and Dan's mom Jan would be turning next month if they were still here.
- $250 pays for a month of paper and hygiene supplies
- $1,000 covers the cost of the shelter for one night
Everyone in our city and region is thinking about the rising numbers of people experiencing homelessness and what to do about it. We think the answer is here. By supporting Chum, you are making a huge impact on the people in this city. Please join us in this amazing work! And thank you for everything you do!
Love,
Dan, Trice, Joe, Clara, Teddy, Billy, Rosie and Tommy
