In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, shares the sights and sounds of LUM Camp 2022. LUM "Culinary" Camp is happening this week with 76 local children experiencing the best week of the summer. More information will be shared soon; but in the meantime, if you wish to experience this year's LUM Camp, please take 59 seconds to watch this video — and check out the PHOTOS (click HERE). If you wish to make an investment in LUM Camp, click the button below. Please SHARE with others.

This is the LUM 50th Anniversary Celebration year! Throughout the LUM 50th Anniversary year, friends, volunteers & staff members have been sharing their “Favorite LUM Memories.” Please read and enjoy this memory.

The LUM 50th Anniversary Celebration continues with the goal of raising at least $50,000 — representing $1,000 per year — for the LUM Good Samaritan Fund. This campaign received a boost with a $7,500 grant from the Glick Community Relief Fund. As of today, 70% or $35,225 has been raised toward the $50,000 goal.

The Glick Fund representative shared that, "The pandemic and inflation continue to place undue hardship on our communities, and we are committed to reducing the burden. That’s why Glick Philanthropies – a family of charitable initiatives, programs and organizations focused on building community and creating opportunity – made a $7,500 contribution to the LUM. This program helps nonprofit organizations, like LUM, provide individuals, families, and communities with access to basic needs, such as food access, transportation, emergency shelter, utility assistance, mental health support & social isolation, and learning loss."

The LUM Good Samaritan Fund provides local individuals, families and children with a financial safety net when in crisis – and is not used for any administrative expenses. No operating expenses are taken out of the Good Samaritan Fund — 100% of all donations go to help those in need. LUM is grateful for the continued support of the Glick Fund. Please join the celebration, help LUM reach this goal, and honor LUM’s 50 years of service to our community. To make an online donation, click the button below.

During the month of July, there is an opportunity for every dollar donated to the LUM Immigration Clinic to be doubled.  Several key donors have pledged $14,000 and are challenging the community to match that amount. Would you please consider a donation of $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or some other amount in support of the LUM Immigration Clinic? Thank you in advance for your strategic financial support.

The LUM Food Pantries (Downtown Lafayette & West Lafayette, IN) need your support this summer. The pandemic and the cost of food and fuel are impacting local families. Below are a few ways YOU can help the LUM Food Pantries continue to meet the growing demand for basic food, paper products and personal hygiene items. Monetary donations to the LUM Food Pantries are ideal because it gives LUM the ability to use the money where it is needed the most. But if you are looking for other ways to the LUM Food Pantries — see below.

GIVING GARDENERS - The LUM Food Pantries welcome donations from "Giving Gardeners." If you "grow a row" in your garden for LUM or simply wish to donate some of the fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit from your garden, simply drop off your items when the LUM Food Pantries are open (Thursday & Friday mornings). Learn more.

NEEDED ITEMS - LUM Food Pantries distribute "food plus more." In addition to food, families need paper products, cleaning supplies, infant products and personal hygiene items. One way that the LUM Food Pantries keep expenditures down is by asking for donations of these "needed items" from the LUM Wish List. You may even purchase the needed items online and have them shipped. Plus, if you use Amazon Smile, LUM gets a percentage of your purchase. Go to smile.amazon.com, select "Lafayette Urban Ministry," order needed items for the LUM Food Pantries, and LUM will get 0.5% of your eligible purchase. Learn more.

HOST A DRIVE - Coordinate a "drive" for the LUM Food Pantries at your church, organization or business — or at your next event, like a birthday party or business meeting/social. Check the LUM Wish List and keep it simple. For example, sponsor a Toilet Paper Drive or ask your guests to bring items needed for the LUM Food Pantries (dish soap, canned fish, canned meat, deodorant, diapers, feminine products).

For more information, email foodpantry@LUMserve.org or go to LUMserve.org/food-pantry. To invest in the LUM Food Pantries, make an online donation by clicking the button below.