MISSIONSMINISTRY
At Carmel UMC strive to be the hands and feet of Christ through outreach in the world around us. We have three areas of focus: Food Insecurity, Children, and Housing.
Our MISSION OF THE MONTH for September 2025 is
Carmel Coat Closet
NEW NAME, SAME GAME:
Returning to our Roots
By Michelle Tuttle
Beginning in 2004, Carmel UMC created, fostered and partnered with Kids Coats of Hamilton County in providing winter coats to children in need within our community.
This partnership grew so large that Kids Coats became a not for profit so that other churches could join in serving the entire county. This partnership has been a meaningful and fruitful collaboration, and we are deeply grateful for the shared mission, the relationships built and the lives impacted.
As of June, the partnership between CUMC and Kids Coats of Hamilton County came to a close- with mutual respect and appreciation for one another’s work. Both groups will continue to serve the community independently, pursuing the same spirit of compassion.
While the mission will now operate under a new name and logo, you can rest assured that the heart of the coat giveaway remains unchanged. CUMC will continue to host families in need through the Carmel Clay School District providing them with warm winter wear and toiletries. Last year, and again this year, we will expand to include adults as well as children allowing the mission to serve all in need.
Join us in spreading warmth and joy - whether by donating coats, giving financially or volunteering your time.
A collection bin will be in the gathering place for coats, hats, mittens, gloves, snow pants and boots for sizes newborn to 5xlg beginning September 1 for new and gently used winter wear. And remember - CUMC welcomes donations all year long at the donation closet located outside of the food pantry, as we will continue to serve our neighbors throughout the year.
Financial support is greatly appreciated. September Loose Change Offering will go directly to the Carmel Coat Closet. To support the Coat Closet, simply note “Coat Closet” on your giving envelope when donating by cash or check.
As a part of Serve Week, we invite you to join us on Saturday, November 8, 2025 in this meaningful endeavor to connect with our community - one coat at a time. Info about collecting coats, and more information will be posted at carmelumc.org/coats
Watch for signups to be available soon.
Michele Tuttle is serving as our Giveaway Director.
Please reach out with questions at coats@carmelumc.org
AMAZON WISH LIST:
If you shop on Amazon, you may wish to look at the FOOD PANTRY's WISH LIST. There are items that we need all the time, and the needs are updated often:
AMAZON WISH LIST
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps supplement food for anyone in need of support. To learn more click here.
Each household may visit the Carmel food pantry once every month.
Click the image above to view the current WEEKLY WANTS at the CUMC Food Pantry.
The CUMC Food Pantry serves about 400 families each month. We partner with local churches, school organizations and members of the community to serve healthy food to HAMILTON COUNTY RESIDENTS. Please bring: a photo ID and proof of residence, such as a utility bill or rental agreement, with you when you visit the food pantry.
Since 2022, St Christopher's Episcopal Church, Carmel Christian Church, Cornerstone Lutheran, and Noblesville First UMC, have donated bounty from their own gardens to the CUMC Food Pantry. Orchard Park Presbyterian Church donates all of the eggs given to guests of the pantry.
If you are interested in volunteering in the Food Pantry, fill out the form at THIS LINK. If you have never volunteered at the pantry, please sign up for a Newbie Shift for training before you volunteer as a Guest Shopper. Newbie Shifts are every Tuesday night 5-7pm and Saturday 11am-1pm.
You can also email foodpantry@carmelumc.org
Food Pantry Gardens
In 2020 our church decided to get outside and start planting healthy, organic produce to be distributed by our Food Pantry to Hamilton County Residents. In 2021 the garden won the 1st Annual Anatoth Award from the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church for being a community-minded garden. Our hope is to continue growing healthy nutritious foods for our community.
Soup's On joins Roberts Park UMC in downtown Indianapolis to serve meals to the hungry and homeless of downtown Indy on Sundays each week. Meals are provided from 12-1pm. Personal hygiene items are also available. CUMC serves several times per year. Contact Natalie Oehler at nataliejoehler@gmail.com about volunteering to serve. Read more about 'Soup's On' on page 13 of theAugust 2025 edition of THE CONTACT - (click here) ... and past information can be found on page 5 of the July 2023 edition of THE CONTACT - (click here)
2025 Dates | Jan 12, Mar 23, Sep 14, Nov 9
(you can sign up to HELP at the button above)
BAGS OF HOPE
Most children in foster care enter with nothing of their own. Bags of Hope provides foster children with their own mongrammed duffle bag filled with books, blankets, toys and a few item that will hopefully bring them joy.
More Info HERE.
CARMEL COAT CLOSET
Carmel Coat Closet serves students at Carmel Clay Schools, as well as adults. New this year, each church will be serving their school district in deeper ways connecting directly with the schools in their community and the counselors or social workers to reach kids that need a coat not only at the giveaway, but also on a school-level until winter is over.
More Info HERE.
SIERRA LEONE MISSIONS
SIERRA LEONE & OPERATION CLASSROOM
The United Methodist Churches across Indiana partner with United Methodist Churches in Sierra Leone & Liberia to ensure children have access to education. Carmel UMC partners specifically with the schools in Sierra Leone, including the Taiama Enterprise Academy, to provide school supplies, scholarships and room & board to students.
Pastor Daisy Gbloh is from Sierra Leone. She served as part of the CUMC staff for 18 months (Feb 2022- Aug 2023) while she studied at United Theological Seminary.
SALVATION ARMY:
ANGEL TREE
This is our fourth year working with the Salvation Army for the Angel Tree Program. Our CUMC leaders are Beth Lotti and Margaret Kettle. They led the Christmas drive in November and met with the Salvation Army to map out the Family Life Center (FLC) and the volunteer slots for set-up and the event on December 7!
The Angel Tree program looked a little different from previous years, Santa's Workshop was set up right here at CUMC! We needed LOTS of help to setup the FLC and volunteers to help guide families through and help them shop for their kids. We are grateful for those who signed up.
THANK YOU to all those who donated and helped...for sharing the joy of Christmas with those in need in our neighborhood. Questions? You can contact Beth (brlotti52@gmail.com) or Margaret (mkettle@indy.rr.com).
Family Promise is the nation's leading organization working to prevent and end family homelessness. Carmel UMC was one of the founding partner churches to get this non-profit started in the Indianapolis area. What began as churches providing food and shelter in the winter months has turned into furnishing apartments to help provide stability for homeless families and most especially their children.
We collected items in May 2025 for an apartment to be furnished for a family in July. Thank you to everyone who contributed so many lovely things to make this new place a home for this family.
Family Promise is typically our Mission of the Month for the month of May each year. THANK YOU to EVERYONE for your generous donations! If you have questions, email missions@carmelumc.org
Each year Carmel UMC sends a team, during the FIRST FULL WEEK of JUNE, to Frakes Kentucky to help families with home improvement projects. In June 2025, our team built new decks for several people and saw first-hand how improving their homes could boost pride and lift hopes in many other facets of life.
OUR NEXT TRIP is June 7-13, 2026
For more information about Henderson Settlement click HERE.