In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, offers Thanksgiving blessings to you. Please take 59 seconds to watch the video and SHARE with others.

This was the 35th consecutive year that LUM has hosted the Community Thanksgiving Feast in downtown Lafayette, IN. It was an especially important event this year because food prices are high and many of our neighbors are struggling and need food. Even though it was mostly a "walk-through" event it still brought together the entire community and was a lively event. The meals included roasted & smoked turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, yams, cranberry sauce, stuffing (AKA dressing), bread, bottled water or milk, and a slice of pie. More than 800 meals were distributed — including 82 turkeys and 112 homemade pies. Community Thanksgiving Feast takes over two months of planning, engages more than 100 volunteers and requires approximately $10,000 in donations to make it happen. LUM is grateful to Central Presbyterian Church for use of their facilities, and to Lee Anna Atwell and West Lafayette High School students for providing live music. It was also special to have several local officials mingling with our guests, including Indiana State Representatives Sheila Klinker & Chris Campbell, Mayor Tony Roswarski, Mayor John Dennis, and County Council Member John Basham. A special thanks also to all who donated food and gave financial support. It was a magical community event and a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday celebration for all. Thanks to Allie Parker, who directed the event; and Ian Kennedy, who headed up the kitchen crew. Please consider a donation to the event. To view more PHOTOS, click HERE.

TOMORROW both of the LUM Food Pantries will be open and well stocked with turkeys and many other food staples for families in need this holiday weekend.

VOLUNTEER | DONATE | GIVE NEEDED ITEMS

VOLUNTEER elves are needed to staff our Donation Center (Nov. 29 - Dec. 7) and to assist with Jubilee Christmas part 2 on Saturday, December 11. This is a great opportunity to host a family and assist them in shopping for their children. Please SHARE this with others.

DONATIONS are appreciated for Jubilee Christmas from churches, organizations and individuals, and help make the program a success. You can help by donating a cash gift of $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more to Jubilee Christmas. Your cash gift to Jubilee Christmas may be given in honor of a friend or family member — in lieu of a holiday gift. LUM will send a Holiday Card sharing that a donation has been made by you to Jubilee Christmas in their name.

GIVE NEEDED ITEMS to Jubilee Christmas. Donations of new, unwrapped toys, clothing (newborn to 12-year-old), books, games, sports equipment, quilts/family blankets are welcome. Donations may be dropped off from Monday (11/29) to Tuesday, December 8 at the LUM Office (Lafayette) and Greyhouse Coffee & Supply Co. (West Lafayette).

For ONLY 6 MORE DAYS, the Neil Klemme State Farm Insurance Agency of West Lafayette is offering a “$3,000 Match Donation” in support of LUM. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to “double your donation” to LUM and increase your impact on strengthening local families thanks to the generosity of Neil Klemme Insurance Agency.

It’s simple — click the “Klemme Match” button (NOW through Tuesday, November 30), make a donation, and the Neil Klemme Insurance Agency will match donations up to $3,000. This is an exciting partnership because Neil Klemme State Farm Insurance Agency is a local business. LUM is fortunate and grateful to have this support from Neil Klemme State Farm Insurance Agency.

This past week, there were two unique programs that supported Lafayette Urban Ministry. They were the Purdue AIChE's Pie a Professor (pictured left) and Village Soup Day sponsored by Westminster Village (pictured right).

Purdue student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers sponsored a Pie a Professor event, and it was a big success. Purdue students were excited to smash a pie in the face of their favorite professors and fellow students. Maddie Barondeau, AIChE officer, shared that, "We had a lot of fun, and I’m glad we could support the Lafayette community!" Maddie presented a check for $230 to Wes Tillett, the LUM executive director. Thank you, Purdue AIChE members for thinking of LUM!

The staff at Westminster Village (West Lafayette) hosted Village Soup Day. This drive-through event offers homemade soup and Chef Rob's famous rolls. This year they sold 254 servings and raised $3,000 ($600 more than last year). Benjamin Blankenship, Westminster Village executive director, presented the check to Wes Tillett. Thank you, Westminster Village staff for your support of LUM!