Search Results

In the heart of Duluth, Minnesota, a city known for its natural beauty and warm community spirit, there exists a sobering reality - homelessness. This blog post shines a light on the inspiring journey of a woman who, against all odds, persevered through the hardships of living in her camper van and found hope through the unwavering support of Chum, a dedicated nonprofit organization in Duluth. For years, Mary (fake name to protect her identity) found herself in a difficult situation, relying on her camper van as her makeshift home. As the cold Minnesota winters swept through, she endured the bitter chill with resilience and determination. Her van became both her refuge and her challenge, constantly requiring repairs to remain functional and mobile. Amidst the struggles of homelessness, Mary found a beacon of hope in Chum's street outreach program. The organization's dedicated outreach worker, was a constant presence, offering a compassionate ear and essential supplies to help Mary cope with the challenges she faced. Through regular check-ins and genuine care, they forged a bond of trust and support that would prove to be life-changing for Mary. As Mary's journey continued, she encountered Chum's comprehensive services that extended far beyond the streets. With our Street Outreach Worker's assistance, Mary was connected to resources, including warm meals, access to hygiene facilities, and support in her search for stable housing. The sense of community fostered by Chum's outreach program became a lifeline for Mary as she navigated her way towards a brighter future. Through the combined efforts of Chum and the indomitable spirit of Mary, a transformative moment arrived. After years of hardship, Mary received the news she had been hoping for – an opportunity to move into the St. Francis Apartments, a supportive housing community provided by Chum. The joy and relief Mary experienced were palpable, and it marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life. Chum's impactful outreach work, exemplified by our Outreach Worker's dedication, would not be possible without the support of the community. For those inspired by Mary's story and the organization's commitment to creating lasting change, volunteering in Duluth can be a rewarding way to make a difference. As Chum continues its efforts to combat homelessness, volunteers play a crucial role in creating a more compassionate and supportive community for those in need. Mary's journey from living in her camper van to finding stable housing at St. Francis Apartments is a testament to the power of resilience and compassion. Through the unwavering dedication of Chum's street outreach program, Mary was able to rebuild her life, proving that even amidst the harshest of circumstances, hope and support can flourish. As Chum continues to provide aid and warmth to those experiencing homelessness in Duluth, the stories of transformation like Mary's serve as a reminder that together, we can create lasting change and empower lives.

We hope this blog finds you in good spirits as we gear up for the much-anticipated annual Rhubarb Festival! This year, we are recognizing Chum's 50th anniversary and are hoping we can all make this event extra special! We are thrilled to announce that the festival will be taking place on Saturday, June 24th, and we extend a huge thank you to Stella Maris Academy for hosting again this year. As the festival draws near, we are reaching out to our incredible supporters, like you, to ask for your support and participation as volunteers. Volunteering at the Rhubarb Festival is an excellent opportunity to engage with fellow community members, showcase your talents, and contribute to the success of this exciting event. Whether you are a passionate foodie, a music lover, or simply someone who wants to give back, there is a volunteer role for everyone. The success of the Rhubarb Festival relies on the dedication and support of volunteers like you. We are in need of hundreds of volunteers to ensure the smooth operation of the festival and create a memorable experience for all attendees. Here are some of the volunteer roles available: Rhubarb Harvesters Kitchen Support Sign Distributors And much more You can sign up for any role that suits you best by clicking the button below. We still need HUNDREDS of volunteer spots to be filled!

The new year is here and so are new needs for Chum, so that we can help people experiencing homelessness in Duluth. This new year has already brought many happy moments and hard ones. Working with people who are experiencing homelessness in Duluth, MN is incredibly rewarding and challenging. Our shelter, in downtown Duluth, has seen some amazing improvements. The coast guard completely overhauled the space and it now feels brand new. But, we are seeing far more people at the shelter this year. We are at or beyond capacity most nights. And instead of having a bed to sleep in, we can only provide more space on the floor for folks using the shelter. If you are able to help in any way please visit our giving page to see how you can help. Gifts of time and money are our biggest need right now. Thank you so much for your support!

Second Saturdays Second Saturdays are a great way to participate in a recurring monthly volunteer opportunity in Duluth, MN. Click the button below to see what we are doing next! *October's Second Saturday has been canceled. Keep an eye out for volunteering opportunities at our Golden Gala.** Second Saturday Signup Monthly Volunteer Opportunities If you would like to be involved in a consistent, month to month, volunteering opportunity check out Second Saturdays. At various locations each month, we get together to serve the needs of our community! ​ Through member congregations and other volunteers, we have been able to meet many needs so far. For these events, we respond to the highest need we see in our community and organize accordingly. ​ If you or a group would like to get together to serve on one of our Second Saturday events, please fill out our form to sign up! ​ Sign up and join us next month! What We Have Done So Far In the past few months we have done the following events. They have all made such a big difference for the people Chum serves. Christmas Cookies for Warming Center guests. Casserole Crock Pot Servings for St. Francis Residents. Advocacy training to make a difference in local legislation. Please Consider Supporting Chum There are many ways to support us! A gift of money can help us support all of our programs. A gift of time, through volunteering, can help us complete crucial projects. And donations of warmth, clothing, and shelter help keep folks living outside of shelter alive. Give Now Volunteer Form Chum Wishlist

Volunteering With Chum Volunteering in Duluth is so easy with Chum. You are able to share with us what you are most interested in, and we can find a project that best suits your skills and abilities! ​ ​ Our Volunteer Form Monthly Volunteer Opportunities If you would like to be involved in a consistent, month-to-month, volunteering opportunity check out Second Saturdays. At various locations each month, we get together to serve the needs of our community! ​ Through member congregations and other volunteers, we have been able to meet many needs so far. For these events, we respond to the highest need we see in our community and organize accordingly. ​ If you or a group would like to get together to serve on one of our Second Saturday events, please fill out our form to sign up! What is it? The Laundry Love initiative consists of regular opportunities to come alongside people who are struggling financially by assisting them with their laundry. Laundry Love partners with groups and local laundromats in cleaning clothes and linens for low-income or no-income families and person(s). Why are we doing it? There are many people in our neighborhood who lack a very simple need: to have clean clothing. This is an opportunity for us to better serve our community! How Can You Help? The laundromat is one of the most beautifully diverse places to be. Spin City Laundry has opened Tuesday mornings as a time to set aside for Laundry Love. Here’s how it works: Earth Breeze supplies us with laundry detergent sheets (free!) Spin City reserves the use of a block of washers and dryers Congregations and community groups team up to staff each Laundry Love session Pick a Tuesday each month to host the event from 8:30 – noon Collect funds to cover the cost of the machines (about $10/load) Manage the reservation map of machines and apply post it labels to keep track of things Distribute detergent and dryer sheets, feed coins into machines Hang out with folks and get to know each other! Share a snack or a game of cribbage, whatever feels right for you. Monthly commitment preferred. ​ Sign Up Here Please Consider Supporting Chum There are many ways to support us! A gift of money can help us support all of our programs. A gift of time, through volunteering, can help us complete crucial projects. And donations of warmth, clothing, and shelter help keep folks living outside of shelter alive. Give Now Volunteer Form Chum Wishlist

How To Get Involved At Chum Thank you so much for your interest in getting involved at Chum! We are determined to fulfill our mission in Duluth, and we can't do it without you! One of the easiest ways to get involved at Chum is to become a monthly donor. It's as easy as using the form on this page and choosing the amount that is right for you. ​ Even just $25 a month can provide a 5-day emergency food supply for a family of two. ​ We also have other options to give online via PayPal. ​ If time is the gift you are looking to give please see more options below! What's new at Chum? As the largest safety net for those experiencing homelessness in the Northland, we stay pretty busy. If you want to help us accomplish our mission, and stay connected with everything happening sign up for our newsletter! First Name Email Submit Thanks for Joining The Team! Best Ways To Get Involved Stepping On Up ​ Volunteering ​ Expanding Horizons ​ Laundry Love ​ Second Saturdays ​ ​ Please Consider Supporting Chum There are many ways to support us! A gift of money can help us support all of our programs. A gift of time, through volunteering, can help us complete crucial projects. And donations of warmth, clothing, and shelter help keep folks living outside of shelter alive. Give Now Volunteer Form Chum Wishlist