My sister and I work at CHUM, a non-profit organization in Duluth that provides services to people in our community experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. One of our major fundraisers of the year is a gala dinner in October, but because of COVID, we had to change the format and take it online.

We’re inviting you to join CHUM’s family of donors to continue the work of providing basic necessities to some of Duluth’s most vulnerable residents.

The CHUM shelter provides a bed for as many as 100 individuals every night, as well as housing assistance, basic health care,  and a 24-hour drop-in center. Due to COVID we screen everyone upon entry for fevers and symptoms. We have extra hand washing stations, rigorous sanitation protocols, and we strongly encourage physical distancing and require facial coverings for all staff and guests. A partnership with local hotels makes it possible to take extra precautions and safely isolate anyone who is awaiting test results, or to quarantine because of suspected exposure. Thankfully, these measures are working and we have not seen an outbreak of the coronavirus in the shelter. We have a plan in place if and when that happens, and are ready to implement it quickly.

At the CHUM Food Shelf we now have contactless distribution of pre-packed boxes of food which include canned and dry goods, meat, dairy, eggs, and fresh produce. Demand for food is increasing and donations from our generous community make it possible to help everyone who comes to us for food. We expect to serve more than 6,000 individuals experiencing food insecurity this year.

The Steve O'Neil Apartments is CHUM's 44-unit permanent supportive housing for families who have experienced long-term homelessness. Donors like you make it possible for families to break the generational cycle of homelessness and finally move into their own home. Here they find support to create and realize goals for future success. The well-trained professional staff provides trauma-informed programming, learning and recreational opportunities, and a caring community for children and parents. We are interrupting isolation by providing academic, social, and emotional support. Every family now has internet access so school children can participate in online learning, and parents can access job search sites, the public library, and other resources. Safety protocols are in place to ensure safety for all residents and staff. Just like at the shelter, masks are required in all common areas and disinfection regimens are strictly followed.

More than 200 people in Duluth sleep in tents, make-shift shelters, under bridges, in the woods, and in other places unfit for human habitation. Your donations make it possible for CHUM’s street outreach team to seek out those who are living rough and provide them with basic necessities like warm clothes, food, water, tents, tarps and sleeping bags. These dedicated individuals also help people get to medical appointments and connect them to resources so they eventually can find stable housing.

The sad news is that homelessness is on the rise, and there just aren’t enough affordable units of housing in our community. If the market could solve the challenges that CHUM tries to solve, it would have.

We know we don’t have all the answers. We’re trying to solve really difficult challenges and the current crisis of the COVID pandemic provides an opportunity to serve the people who come to us for help in a totally different way.

Please consider making a donation to this great organization today, and stay tuned for our Silent Auction, starting October 18!