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Success Stories As a nonprofit in Duluth, MN dedicated to serving individuals and families facing homelessness, we are proud to say that we have helped countless individuals find housing and recover from the trauma of experiencing homelessness. Jill & Travis Our Street Outreach Coordinator, Deb Holman, met a couple who were experiencing homelessness a few years ago. She helped them through hard winter nights and provided them with resources so that they could recover from experiencing homelessness. ​ Both Jill and Travis went through horrible divorces at separate times. They were both experiencing homelessness at the same time when they met. They both pushed each other to get clean, find housing, and stabilize their lives. ​ With Deb's help, they are now in stable housing, and are able to focus on their goals. Watch the video below to hear more about their story. Moving Out! The Steve O'Neil Apartments are a place where families can recover from the trauma of experiencing homelessness through permanent supportive housing. In other words, they have an affordable place to live, and dedicated staff to help them through their struggles. ​ Rent is based on what people can pay (it is a bit more complicated than that, so bear with us), and eventually, some of our families get to a point where they can afford market-rate rent. Many choose to move out so that other families can move in and get the support they need. ​ This amazing woman shares her journey and how she went from no where else to go, to now supporting her child and moving out! More Coming Soon Putting these together takes a little while! Keep an eye out for more of the ways we have been supporting our brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness. 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

Our 50th Anniversary On June 4th 2023, we staarted a year-long observance of our 50th anniversary. We are commemorating this year, not in celebration, but in recognition of all the wonderful and amazing work that has been done in this community. ​ Over the course of the next year, we will be having many events to go along with our anniversary, as well as many opportunities to further your support and commitment to our mission. We believe we are the solution to halt the growing numbers of people experiencing homelessness in Duluth. With your support, we can make our vision a reality. Contribute Today 50th Anniversary Events Stay Up to Date With All of Our 50th Anniversary Events. Event Page 50 Years of Compassion June 4th, 1973 Central Hillside United Ministries Established May 28th, 1975 Chum Church Established April 27th, 1981 Emergency Food Shelf Opens April 19, 1982 Chum's Drop-in Center Opens 10 congregations joined together to form Chum, an ecumenical coalition to address unemployment and declining population, truancy and school dropouts, alcoholism, inflation, and the growing number of elderly people who need assistance. Chum Church was created as a tool to integrate adults with developmental disabilities into the mainstream worship community. Soon Chum Church became its own congregation and spiritual home for about 100 adults. Originally, Chum Church met at First United Methodist Church and then moved to Peace United Church of Christ in 1982. Chum Church ended in 2021 when the Program Coordinator retired. Just as the economy was beginning to fall apart, Chum opened the first East location at Bethel Baptist Church and moved several times before settling at its current location. The West location at Our Savior's Lutheran Church opened in 1982 and continues today. During the economic recession of the 1980's Chum's Food Shelf served 1,000 households each month. The first Drop-in Center location was a storefront at 208 E. First Street. The goals of the Center were to: provide a chemical-free alternative to the bar scene; offer counseling and information and referrals for food, housing, clothing, and chemical dependancy treatment; be the initial point of contact for people exiting treatment facilities and jail; provide a social environment, and to provide a downtown meeting place for Alcoholics Anonymous. The Center moved to its current location in 1998. Full Timeline Coming Soon! 50th Anniversary Sponsors The following businesses have answered the call to be difference-makers in our community. Not only have they partnered with us in our mission, but they have also decided to go above and beyond with generous donations to support our cause. Champion Sponsors Advocate Sponsors Ally Sponsors Dougherty Funeral Home 50th Anniversary Honorary Co-Chairs These amazing individuals are community leaders and have chosen to be honorary Co-Chairs for the 50th Anniversary Sister Kathleen Hofer "Many of us have heartfelt concern for those who are homeless, hungry, or somehow disadvantaged and want to help them. We may feel that as a busy person, we don’t have time or resources to help in any meaningful way. However, in Duluth, we do have an organization that is providing these individuals with services that help them tremendously with a place to stay and food to eat. This organization is Chum, people of faith working together to provide basic necessities and foster stable lives. Supporting Chum gives all of us an opportunity to help the homeless and hungry, and also to recognize Chum as it celebrates 50 years of service." Shaun Floerke "I’m grateful and honored to celebrate and support Chum in this 50th Anniversary year. Chum is the beauty and power of a community coming together to meet critical needs and support our most vulnerable neighbors. It is a privilege to join in the mission and impact of such an incredible organization." Let's Stay In Touch 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! Please Consider Supporting Us 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 Wishlist

About Chum people of faith working together to provide basic necessities, foster stable lives, and organize for a just and compassionate community. Chum is a 501(c)(3) organization whose programs serve more than 8,000 low-income, homeless, hungry, isolated, or otherwise marginalized community members in Duluth, MN each year. Chum was founded in 1973 when 10 churches in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood pooled their resources to meet the needs of the neighborhood’s many low-income residents. ​ We are now the largest service safety net in Duluth, MN for those experiencing homelessness. We provide the basic needs that everyone has and help our guests move forward to begin to prosper. Chum Is Made Up Of 4 Big Parts Helping those in Crisis transition Stabilization Services Chum's stabilization services have many parts. The drop-in center/shelter is a place where anyone can stay. It also has a clinic where anyone can get the medical attention they need. ​ ​ Learn More The backbone of our organization Congregational Outreach, Advocacy, and Organizing The congregations that support Chum are core to who we are. These 44 congregations reach out, advocate, and organize for justice for those who have no one to stand up for them. ​ Learn More Making sure everyone in Duluth stays fed Food Distribution Services Includes two emergency food shelf locations in Duluth, MN. In 2022 we delivered over 500,000 pounds of food to those in need. ​ This program also delivers food to those who cannot get to our locations. ​ Learn More Responding to the housing shortage in Duluth Housing Services We offer home-making services to those escaping trauma and crisis by providing a roof over their heads and a place of their own. ​ ​ We help families at the Steve O'Neil Apartments break cycles of homelessness and provide support to prosper in life! ​ At the St. Francis Apartments, we provide a safe place for seniors to create a home and accomplish their goals. ​ Learn More Stabilization Services Chum's stabilization services include the emergency shelter program for families and individuals, homeless street outreach, the Chum Drop-In Center, the Chum Clinic, family and individual case management, employment services, and benefits advocacy. ​ All of these programs are our way of responding to the growing numbers of people experiencing homelessness in Duluth, MN. Each program meets people right where they are and gives them the tools, opportunities, and support to find housing and thrive in life. Learn More Distributive Services Chum's distributive services include two emergency food shelves (providing 572,000 pounds of food to 6000 households in 2022), and household start-up assistance for individuals and families moving from shelter to permanent housing. ​ We also have the program we call, Chum 2 GO, which provides food to those who do not have easy access to transportation. Now folks all over Duluth have access to good quality and healthy food. Learn More Congregational Outreach, Advocacy and Organizing This service focuses on faith-based organizing and advocacy at the state and local level, and volunteer outreach and coordination for all of Chum’s programs. ​ Chum’s member congregations and service population participate in Chum’s Outreach and Advocacy efforts to encourage policymakers to respond better to the needs of low- and no-income people, particularly those who are experiencing homelessness or hunger, or who experience racial inequity. ​ Learn More Housing Services We have two buildings that are devoted to longer-term housing for individuals transitioning from homelessness. ​ The Steve O'Neil Apartments and the St. Francis Apartments are devoted to giving folks the comforts of being in their own space and working toward finding permanent housing. In these spaces, they have access to our huge support line to get them back to where they want to be. ​​ Learn More 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's Wishlist

Events Calendar Upcoming Events April 2024 Today Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 9:00 AM Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Neighborhood Breakfast +1 more +2 more 28 12:00 PM Free Community Meal - First Lutheran Church +1 more 29 30 1 2 3 4 12:15 PM High Tea - Our Savior's +1 more 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

About Chum people of faith working together to provide basic necessities, foster stable lives, and organize for a just and compassionate community. Chum is a 501(c)(3) organization whose programs serve more than 8,000 low-income, homeless, hungry, isolated, or otherwise marginalized community members in Duluth, MN each year. Chum was founded in 1973 when 10 churches in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood pooled their resources to meet the needs of the neighborhood’s many low-income residents. ​ We are now the largest service safety net in Duluth, MN for those experiencing homelessness. We provide the basic needs that everyone has and help our guests move forward to begin to prosper. Chum Is Made Up Of 4 Big Parts Helping those in Crisis transition Stabilization Services Chum's stabilization services have many parts. The drop-in center/shelter is a place where anyone can stay. It also has a clinic where anyone can get the medical attention they need. ​ ​ Learn More The backbone of our organization Congregational Outreach, Advocacy, and Organizing The congregations that support Chum are core to who we are. These 44 congregations reach out, advocate, and organize for justice for those who have no one to stand up for them. ​ Learn More Making sure everyone in Duluth stays fed Food Distribution Services Includes two emergency food shelf locations in Duluth, MN. In 2022 we delivered over 500,000 pounds of food to those in need. ​ This program also delivers food to those who cannot get to our locations. ​ Learn More Responding to the housing shortage in Duluth Housing Services We offer home-making services to those escaping trauma and crisis by providing a roof over their heads and a place of their own. ​ ​ We help families at the Steve O'Neil Apartments break cycles of homelessness and provide support to prosper in life! ​ At the St. Francis Apartments, we provide a safe place for seniors to create a home and accomplish their goals. ​ Learn More 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! Stabilization Services Chum's stabilization services include the emergency shelter program for families and individuals, homeless street outreach, the Chum Drop-In Center, the Chum Clinic, family and individual case management, employment services, and benefits advocacy. ​ All of these programs are our way of responding to the growing numbers of people experiencing homelessness in Duluth, MN. Each program meets people right where they are and gives them the tools, opportunities, and support to find housing and thrive in life. Learn More Distributive Services Chum's distributive services include two emergency food shelves (providing 572,000 pounds of food to 6000 households in 2022), and household start-up assistance for individuals and families moving from shelter to permanent housing. ​ We also have the program we call, Chum 2 GO, which provides food to those who do not have easy access to transportation. Now folks all over Duluth have access to good quality and healthy food. Learn More Congregational Outreach, Advocacy and Organizing This service focuses on faith-based organizing and advocacy at the state and local level, and volunteer outreach and coordination for all of Chum’s programs. ​ Chum’s member congregations and service population participate in Chum’s Outreach and Advocacy efforts to encourage policymakers to respond better to the needs of low- and no-income people, particularly those who are experiencing homelessness or hunger, or who experience racial inequity. ​ Learn More Housing Services We have two buildings that are devoted to longer-term housing for individuals transitioning from homelessness. ​ The Steve O'Neil Apartments and the St. Francis Apartments are devoted to giving folks the comforts of being in their own space and working toward finding permanent housing. In these spaces, they have access to our huge support line to get them back to where they want to be. ​​ Learn More 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's Wishlist

Housing Services Our Housing Services provide support to individuals who do not have housing. To serve those in our community experiencing homelessness we have multiple programs below that are dedicated to serving specific needs so we can achieve our mission in Duluth, MN. Permanent Supportive Housing We have two buildings that are devoted to longer-term housing for individuals transitioning from homelessness. ​ The Steve O'Neil Apartments and the St. Francis Apartments are devoted to giving folks the comforts of being in their own space and working toward finding permanent housing. In these spaces, they have access to our huge support line to get them back to where they want to be. ​ We take so much pride in these programs! From getting their own apartment for the first time to recovering from addiction and reuniting with their families; these programs make a huge impact on folk's lives. ​ The Steve O'Neil Apartments, with 44 units of Permanent Supportive Housing, opened in December of 2014. In conjunction with other local agencies, Chum has been able to help families get back on their feet and begin to thrive again! ​ The building is owned, operated, and managed by Center City Housing, and Chum provides permanent supportive housing services to those living there. Our early childhood program at the Steve O'Neil Apartments is one of the best there is! For multiple years now, we have received a 4-star Parent Aware Rating. Which is one of the best a program like this can achieve! ​ The St. Francis Apartments are for seniors that have had long experiences of homelessness. St. Luke's owns this property and Chum provides services to the tenants. This program provides 32 units to people experiencing chronic homelessness who qualify for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) project-based permanent supportive housing (PSH) subsidy vouchers. The remaining 11 units are offered to those experiencing long-term homelessness who qualify for Housing with Support (HS) subsidies as per St. Louis County. 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

Stepping On UP Duluth’s shortage of housing causes long-term and chronic homelessness. Waitlists stretch from months (in rare cases) to more than 2 years for subsidized housing. In addition, people experiencing long-term homelessness and especially chronic homelessness are rarely able to transition smoothly from the streets or shelter into permanent, independent housing. What is needed are low-cost units that are private, dignified, small scale to encourage community, culturally specific, harm reduction based, and providing services including basic life skills like cleaning and cooking. Learn More

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 Note To All Chum Volunteers: Calling all volunteers! We want to take some time to extend our sincere gratitude for all you have done for this organization. Simple thanks are not enough for the incredible impact you have made on this community. On Monday, May 6th we will be hosting a volunteer appreciation event at Our Savior's Evangelical Lutheran Church ! You can join us at 12:00 PM OR 5:30 PM so that everyone can make it. We'll share stories, express gratitude, celebrate, and show the immense impact we have made together as a community. Please let us know if you can make it by clicking or tapping the button below: RSVP 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

What Makes Us Great? Chum has been a core component of our community since 1973. Over the years we have grown to meet the needs of this community. We strive for excellence in our service, and as an employer to many in Duluth. Check out this page and let us prove it! Our Financials If you are curious, click any of the buttons below to view our most recent financial documents. 2021 Financial Statement 2021 990 Form 2022 Financial Statement 2022 990 Form Guidestar Platinum Transparency For several years, we have maintained our status on Guidestar to prove our transparency and trustworthiness as an organization. If you are curious to learn more about our financials and other information click the button below. Guidestar Minnesota Council of Nonprofits We are a member of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. Among other organizations, we advocate for more housing in our area and across the state. Check out their website by hitting the button below. MN Council of Nonprofits

Ways To Give 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. This is a great way to set up monthly payments, which helps us as an organization greatly! Donate On PayPal 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! In-Kind Donations Contributions of clothing, food, etc. can be delivered to the Chum Admin Office at 102 W 2nd St. Duluth, MN 55812. Household supplies or other items can be brought here, please knock on the door for assistance. If you are unable to use the times suggested, please call for an appointment or an alternative drop-off site. Don't know what to bring? Check out our wishlist. ​ Donations can be taken Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Cash Donations Cash is the simplest gift to make. It provides both the donor and Chum immediate benefits. Your gift is made outright and can be either unrestricted or designated to a particular Chum program. ​ To set up an automatic EFT Withdrawal from your bank account, fill out and bring this form to our office at 102 W 2nd St. Duluth, MN. 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

Privacy Policy CHUM Donor Privacy Policy CHUM is firmly committed to the privacy of our donors and to the integrity of our records. Outlined here are the policies we use to protect your privacy and safeguard your information. If you have any questions or comments about this policy, please email us at chum@chumduluth.org. What we collect: we collect name, address, email address, phone numbers, place of work, place of worship and occasionally we collect other family member information. We track all donations, amounts, dates, how paid, and any restrictions on use that accompany donations. You may opt out of sharing any or all information, including requesting that we maintain 100% anonymity. What we do with data we collect: we use your information to send acknowledgements and thank you letters, to notify you about our programs and special events, to request ongoing support, and to invite you to participate in our work (e.g. as a volunteer or to serve on a committee). Publishing your name: We generally publish lists of donors in our Annual Report (which is also available on our website), but you may opt out of having your name published by letting us know at chum@chumduluth.org; by phone 218-720-6521 or in writing to CHUM Development Director, 102 W. Second Street, Duluth, MN 55802. If you indicate at the time of a contribution that you do not want your name printed we do not add you to any printed lists of donors. To learn if you are on the “do not publish” list, call CHUM. Online giving: People may contribute to CHUM over several on-line platforms. Our website is linked to GiveMN to provide investors with a safe, secure and private facility for making online credit-card gifts. Their privacy policy is here: https://givemn.org/privacy. We also collect on-line gifts through an on-line registry sponsored by Shopify which is PCI compliant (http://www.shopify.com/pci-compliant). From time to time we use Razoo for our web donations; Razoo uses the industry leader in security encryption: Verisign for SSL certification. Donor Records: CHUM does not sell, disclose or share information with other organizations or individuals, including our member congregations. We provide information about major contributions to tax authorities as required by law. CHUM requires all staff and volunteers (including members of the Board of Directors) to sign a confidentiality agreement prior to being granted access to donor records. This confidentiality agreement is updated annually. E-communications: If you sign up for our e-newsletter or to receive electronic communications, we will send you a short email update approximately once a month to update you on CHUM news and events. You may unsubscribe to the e-newsletter at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link within the enewsletter. In the Unsubscribe process you may choose to only unsubscribe for specific emails or the list entirely. Discontinuing Contact: It is CHUM’s policy to discontinue contacting any person upon that person’s oral or written request directed to CHUM, any professional fundraiser (CHUM staff or contracted), or any other agent. This goes for traditional as well as electronic communications. Approved 4/9/15 Virus Protection: CHUM protects its computers with firewalls and anti-virus protection software. We maintain a contract with CW Technology, part of which is to make sure that firewalls and anti-virus protection software is updated regularly. Unsolicited communication: CHUM does not send mailings to people who visit our website but who do not sign up for electronic communications or other ways to “stay in touch.” Web logging: web server software routinely logs sessions. CHUM does not keep or use any information that links your web usage to your identity except in those cases where you specifically want us to have the information, e.g. when sending us order or subscription information, making a contribution, or when participating in surveys and study groups. Policy posting and changes: This policy is posted on our website and is available upon request by calling us at 218-720-6521. If we ever change any of these policies, we will post those changes on our website so that you will always know what information we gather, how we might use that information, and whether we will disclose it to anyone.