In this week’s edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap-Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, takes you on a quick, informative virtual tour of the LUM Food Pantry — through the eyes of the shoppers. Take just 59 seconds to watch the video, and don’t forget to SHARE it with your friends!

LUM is proud to honor Barb & John Sperry as the Volunteers of the Month for January 2025. This Brookston, Indiana couple has made a positive impact through their dedication and compassion to feeding the hungry. John, originally from Brownsburg, retired from Caterpillar in 2016. Barb, from Sioux City, Iowa, left Caterpillar in 1990 to raise their family. Married for 38 years, they have three children and a granddaughter who shares a birthday with grandpa John.

For close to three years, Barb & John have volunteered at the LUM Protein Food Pantry and LUM Food Rescue team. “We wanted to volunteer where our efforts brought glory to God,” they shared. “LUM matches our values, and we love that we can volunteer as a couple.”

The Sperrys cherish their time together at LUM, finding joy in serving diverse clients and working alongside passionate volunteers. “The clients we serve are so interesting and inspiring. You really start caring for them as they share their stories, laughter, and sometimes tears,” they shared. Their time at LUM is the highlight of their week. "LUM’s commitment to serving people in need and sharing the Lord makes this a wonderful place to contribute,” they stated.

Inspired by Barb & John’s story? Join the LUM volunteer team today and make a difference. Visit the LUM website or call or email the LUM volunteer coordinator, Terri Anderson, today to learn how you can bring hope and help to those who need it most (volunteer@LUMserve.org | 765-423-2691). To read more about Barb & John, click HERE.

Second graders at Cole Elementary School recently decorated and packed bagged meals for LUM Homeless Services. The meals will support the LUM Winter Warming Station, which operates from November 15 (now) through April 15 to provide a safe, warm space for unhoused individuals during the coldest months of the year. Each meal included a sandwich, snacks, fruit, a drink, and utensils, along with hand-drawn, uplifting messages from the students.

This activity is the first of several community service projects, led by Tippecanoe School Corporation, designed to celebrate the City of Lafayette’s bicentennial by completing 200 hours of service. With all students and staff involved at Cole, this project contributed 30 hours toward that goal. Community service is a meaningful part of the student experience, fostering empathy, leadership, and teamwork skills while teaching the value of helping others.

Thank you to the Cole Elementary second graders, teachers, parents & staff for their kindness and generosity in helping make a difference in our community!

How You Can Help

LUM encourages families, organizations, and groups to prepare bagged meals for the LUM Winter Warming Station. Once assembled, the bagged meals should be labeled and decorated and dropped off at 8 p.m. at the LUM Ray Ewry Center, 525 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN. Your contributions through meals, donations, or volunteering are essential to supporting individuals in need this winter. To learn more, click HERE.

LUM proudly acknowledges the generosity of Electric Plus, whose donation of gift cards, valued at $6,600, provided much-needed assistance to local families through the LUM After School Program. These gift cards, purchased from locally owned businesses, not only helped families in need but also boosted the local economy — making this support even more impactful.  

In addition, LUM was awarded a $5,000 grant made possible by the Electric Plus Cares Fund, a fund of The Hendricks County Community Foundation to support the LUM Homeless Services. This funding will provide 360 safe and warm bed nights for adults experiencing homelessness in Greater Lafayette. The LUM Emergency Shelter operates year-round, offering overnight accommodations for up to 48 guests each night, while the LUM Winter Warming Station adds space for 44 more individuals during colder months. In 2024, these facilities served 1,110 guests for a total of 18,864 bed nights—a 36% increase from the previous year.    

LUM deeply appreciates the generosity of Electric Plus and The Hendricks County Community Foundation and looks forward to continuing this impactful partnership.

The cost of food and fuel is straining local families and food banks, making your support more critical than ever. LUM needs your help to meet the growing demand for food, paper products, and personal hygiene items at the LUM Food Programs, including meals at the LUM Emergency Shelter and Winter Warming Station. Here are six ways you can make a difference:

Your generosity helps ensure our neighbors in need have access to life’s basic necessities this winter — food and meals. Visit the LUM website to learn more and get involved today.

{Pictured are Cole Elementary School 2nd graders delivering Winter Warming Station meals.}

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