chum with tagline
May 2015       
Congregational News 
Planting Beyond Ourselves: An Ancient System of Growing a Caring Community
  
Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein
The May 21st CHUM Spring Assembly is for EVERYONE!  If you are a CHUM Delegate, a member of a CHUM Congregation, work in a partner organization or are just interested in learning more, please join us at Temple Israel for our meeting and  a great presentation.

Rabbi Alan Shavit-Lonstein teaches in the Twin Cities area, making Jewish learning accessible to  people of all ages and backgrounds. We are honored to have him in Duluth!

Together we will explore Jewish text relating to the Sabbatical Year and discuss how its lessons can inform many faith communities in their pursuit of social justice.  Read more in preparation for the presentation.
                                                                                                        
Balancing Compassion and Accountability
by Melissa VanDerStatt 

Cully Pederson is one of the housing advocates at the CHUM Center where he focuses on adults who stay in the Emergency Shelter.  His days are more often busy than not as he helps  each person  find housing, manage their income, and plan for the future.

"I am the type of person who walks along a beach and picks up a beached starfish and puts it back in the water. I have seen people dump a bucket of water on the starfish. That doesn't solve the problem." said Pederson. read more
                                                                               
Harvest Campaign!
 
When you plant your garden this summer, remember to plant an extra row for the CHUM Food Shelf.

Then, when you harvest you can share your bounty with your hungry neighbors.
For more information, contact Meg.    print this poster  
ADVOCACY
CHUM Organizers Go to DC!

CHUM's Community Organizing staff -- Matt Traynor and Courtney Cochran -- traveled to Washington, DC, from April 19th to 20th with the Take Action Minnesota Staff for the annual National People's Action Conference on Direct Action.
Housing Access Center  
Needs Your Voice!

Help advocate for the re-opening of the Housing Access Center - a housing mediation center for landlords and tenants that closed in 2005. Call, write, film a video of yourself talking about the need for this service and send it to your City Councilors (At-Large & District councilors). Come for the vote at City Council on this funding on Wednesday, May 26th at 7pm.)

For more information contact Matt Traynor at (218) 409-0109.
                                                                                                              
Welcome New CHUM Staff
Kim Anderson: Data Entry Clerk 
Mona Peterson: Steve O'Neil Apts. Family Coach 
Kevin Walsh: Health and Wellness Coordinator

Farewell Retiring CHUM Staff 
Shari Flesness: Nurse Clinic 
Dan Moore: Steve O'Neil Apts. Site Coordinator 
                                                                                                      

chum with tagline
is people of faith working together to provide  basic necessities, foster stable lives, and organize for a just and compassionate community.
Save these Dates!
Use the links to learn more about each event.

Now Through May 22- Community Development Committee for the City of Duluth
is asking for your input on recommendations for making Duluth a better place.  This will affect how the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds will be distributed in 2016.  CHUM currently receives CDBG funding for our shelter, food shelf and employment programs.
May 21- CHUM Spring Assembly at Temple Israel. 6:30 - 8 PM Speaker Rabbi Shavit-Lonstein.

May 21 - Duluth Talent Show  A fund raiser for CHUM. 7 PM Fregeau Auditorium at Marshall School.

May 26 - City of Duluth CDBG Public Hearing.  5:30 PM at the Damiano Center.

May 27 - Housing for All in St. Louis County; 3rd Annual Community Summit.  10 AM - 3:30 PM at First United Methodist  Church (Coppertop).

May 28 - Aging, Disability and Caregiving.  7 - 8:30 PM at Holy Family Church.

June 13 - Rhubarb Chopping at the Peace Church Kitchen from 9 AM to 3 PM.  If you have rhubarb, please drop it off by noon.  Choppers, bring your favorite knife. All are welcome! Contact Jeff for more information!

June 27 - CHUM Rhubarb Festival!  9 AM to 4 PM at 1100 London Road and First Lutheran Church.  
THANK YOU!
To all the volunteers who make CHUM work day to day!  We are especially grateful this month for those of you who assisted with the May 9th National Association of Letter Carrier's Drive!

One volunteer family blogged about their experience...
are listed on our website. Here are some current needs:

The Food Shelf is looking for a person to work 2 hours per week in the office.  Anytime on Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 9 & 3 works.  Contact Terri for more information.

11th Annual CHUM Rhubarb Festival  June 27th.
Does your congregation or group want to be involved... see how.

The following volunteer coordinating positions still need to be filled:
1. Sustainability Coordinator  
2. Activities Coordinator
If you are interested in one of these positions, please contact Mary  to discuss your interests.

Save the DATE to volunteer between June 22 and 27. Watch for the electronic sign up notice!
SUPPORT CHUM!
Four Estate Planning Must-Do's
1. Create a will and a trust.
2. Prepare a durable power of attorney.
3. Prepare a health care living will.
4. Review beneficiary designations.

If you have included, or are considering including, CHUM in your estate plan or will, please contact Mary Schmitz or Lee Stuart, at the CHUM office, to learn how your gift can make a difference in our community. Gifts of appreciated stock are also accepted.
 Running to Keep People On Their Feet!

Are you or someone you know running in one of the Grandma's Marathon events? Make the most of that run by joining us in raising money for the Gabriel Fund!

Visit CHUM Gabriel Fund to learn more or to donate on line.

Thanks for your help to keep our neighbors on their feet!

Action Teams

You can support CHUM through Thrivent Action Teams.  Apply to do a service project and you can receive up to $250 in support of that effort. Each Thrivent member is eligible for two Action Teams each year. Consider using one of your Thrivent Action Teams for the Rhubarb Festival this year.  Learn more here
CHUM Contacts:
Office: 218-720-6521      Food Shelf: 218-727-2391      CHUM Center: 218-726-0153