Dear Katie,


 

What a great month it has been! First of all, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our friends at Church Women United, St Mark's Women in Faith, and the Opportunity House for the lovely (and successful!) Style Show fundraiser last week. We were entertained with a stunning slew of models showing their Opportunity House finds, sweet remarks from a variety of speakers, and dainty treats! My daughters, Hazel and Cobie, and I had the honor of modeling our Opportunity House finds. I think it is safe to say that Hazel has found her calling in twirling and Cobie is probably on track to be the next Hannah Montana! The event also raised over $1,700 to support MCUM's programs, which was the cherry on top of a delightful day!

 

This month, our Compass program wrapped up their swimming at Mills Pool. Judging by the screeches of joy heard coming from the pool, they loved having the chance to splash and play. We also had our accreditation visit from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and are eagerly awaiting the results. Next week, Compass will be closed for one week leading up to the new school year, giving teachers an opportunity to get some training in as well as some time to get their classrooms set up for about 30 new students who are set to join the family on August 2nd (including my Cobie, who will be a Puffin!). 

 

The Self-Sufficiency Center has also been busy this summer. Erin made two trips this month up to the Bishop's Storehouse in Indianapolis where she packed the van full of food for the pantry. Thanks to a grant, the SSC is able to shop for the equivalent of 2,500 pounds of food each month free of charge. We also received our first full months' worth of produce boxes from the People's Market, which has added over $400 in value to our pantry's weekly staples as well as abundant nutrition for our shoppers! We are so excited about these new partners and the impact we can make together! Speaking of partnerships, I hope you will help us spread the word that on August 4 at noon, the Excel Center will be onsite to provide a Meet and Eat about their adult education program here in Monroe County. 

 

MCUM is applying for the Bloomingfoods Positive Change Program. If you are a Bloomingfoods member, it would tremendously help us if you would vote for MCUM to be a recipient this coming year when the poll opens in September! 

 

Each opportunity and activity in motion helps us further our vision to eliminate generational poverty for the people we serve, and all of us at MCUM love this work and we love working with YOU! As always, I would love any opportunities to connect with you. Please send me an email or give me a call if you would like to get together.

 

Wishing you a wonderful August ahead!


Katie Broadfoot, MPA

Executive Director

Monroe County United Ministries

[email protected]

812-339-3429 ext.11

Partnership with People's Market

Thanks to our partnership with People's Market A Market for the People, we are able to supply our pantry visitors with fresh produce from local farmers like Sobremesa Farm. Sobremesa Farm was founded in 2013 with the idea of providing organically grown farm fresh fruit and vegetables directly to the local community.

You can find out more about their farm here https://sobremesafarm.com/index.php/v1-about-us/

Pictured here is one of our weekly deliveries with lush and nutritious farm fresh produce that can add some greens to any meal for our pantry visitors!

“Despite the chaos, for the first time in my life, I feel like I truly have control over the direction my life is going.” – Nicole*, Microloan recipient, Compass parent, and Your Path participant


In the summer of 2021, Nicole’s family received news the difficult news that due to a rent increase, they could no longer afford to stay in their home. To cover the costs of moving, Nicole applied for and received a microloan from MCUM. Shortly after, Nicole’s world was completely turned upside down when her mom, her most trusted friend and advocate, died unexpectedly. Funeral expenses set her family back even more, and Nicole decided to join Your Path to make a financial plan, set budgeting goals, and get back on track with her microloan. However, now left without a support system, Nicole became the victim of financial abuse in her relationship. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to seek help from Middle Way House. Since then, slowly but surely, Nicole has made progress towards independence – first, she enrolled her child at Compass and found a job with a supportive and understanding boss. Then she received priority for the Section 8 voucher, found an apartment, and started saving money for a car. When her tax return arrived, she was able to pay off the remainder of her microloan and put a down payment on a vehicle. With the help of local agencies like MCUM and Middle Way House, Nicole was able to find support and keep her head above water through hard times.


*Name changed for anonymity

MCUM Receives $5,000 Grant from Glick Philanthropies Community Relief Fund 

 

Inflation continues to place undue hardship on our communities, and we are committed to reducing the burden. That’s why Glick Philanthropies – a family of charitable initiatives, programs and organizations focused on building community and creating opportunity – made a $5,000 contribution to MCUM through the Glick Community Relief Fund. This program helps nonprofit organizations provide individuals, families, and communities with access to basic needs, such as food access, transportation, utility assistance, and mental health support. We will use this additional support to further our mission of ending generational poverty for the people we serve through utility assistance and purchasing needed items for our client-choice food pantry.

 

For more information, visit glickphilanthropies.org

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Bloomington, IN 47404
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Opportunity House Style Show

Katie Broadfoot our Executive Director alongside Hazel and Cobie modeling at the annual Opportunity House Style Show that raised $1,700 for MCUM! Thank you Church Women United and United Women in Faith!

It's that time! The school supply lists are out and school is right around the corner.


Stop by MCUM this week if you need a backpack and some supplies. Come to the SSC and tell our front desk coach that you are here to pick up a backpack.


**Only available while supplies last. Limited quantity available.**

Pantry Needs:

Helper Meals

Canned fruit

Jiffy Mix

Crackers


or visit our

Amazon Wishlist

Our 2022 Annual Report is here! Visit https://mcum.org/about/news/ to read in full.

In this report you'll see how our basic and financial assistance has impacted our community, how Quinn built self-sufficiency through our Your Path program, how Compass is helping to create access to affordable high-quality early learning for children in Monroe County and how your donations are helping end generational poverty!

A study released from the Annie E. Casey Foundation stated that “the country’s lack of afford­able and acces­si­ble child care short­changes chil­dren, costs the Amer­i­can econ­o­my bil­lions of dol­lars a year, stymies women pro­fes­sion­al­ly and is push­ing fam­i­lies to the break­ing point.” At MCUM we are doing our part to help the Hoosier economy thrive by keeping parents in the workforce while their children attend our Level 3 Paths to Quality Compass Early Learning Center at affordable rates. Click HERE to read more.

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827 West 14th Court,
Bloomington, IN 47404
812-339-3429