This page will outline the many ways you can contribute to CUMAC's work and help make a difference in the lives of people in need year round.  Also, please check our News page for seasonal ideas and special needs.

MAKE A DONATION

Food. We can never have too much food! Even when we have sufficient food to feed all of our clients, we distribute any surplus to area agencies – such as smaller food pantries and shelters for the homeless or victims of domestic violence – also serving those in need.  You can give on your own, or multiply your efforts by organizing a food drive.  Get together a group from the office, church or Scouting, for example. We’ll help with all of the logistics!

Money. Our operation relies heavily on donations from individuals and groups. We are able to turn even a small monetary donation into significant services for our clients. For example, with $50 we can feed a family of four for a week!  Please consider making a gift now.

Clothing, furniture or housewares. We appreciate donations of gently-used clothing and household items, which we give to any clients in immediate need due to house fire, domestic violence or other disaster, or sell in our thrift shop to help support our feeding program.  Pick-ups are available if you call ahead to make an appointment, but if you are able to deliver your donation to our facility, it is even more beneficial!

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND TALENTS.
 
We have a 20 member staff – only 5 of which are considered full-time. We are always in need of extra hands. We would also appreciate expert advice in such areas as warehouse operations, retail sales, antique appraisal, facility construction/renovation, lease arrangements, phone systems, computer systems, security, personnel policies, on-site job training, marketing/public relations, website design, and the like.

ORGANIZE A "FREE DRIVE"

Get a group together to collect coffee cans, grocery bags (paper or plastic) and/or soda tabs. These projects cost you nothing, yet are invaluable to our operation. Empty coffee cans are used to divide up food such as rice or pasta that we receive in bulk, and bags are used to distribute food to our clients.  The pull tab on a soda can is the only part made of pure aluminum (the rest is an alloy), so scrap metal yards will buy them by the pound.  Of course, it takes a very large quantity to get any significant amount of money, but with many groups collecting on CUMAC's behalf we have been able to turn something that would be normally thrown away into money, and subsequently food.