19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, …. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ~Matthew 6:19-21


Since 1894, Kids Above All has helped more than 150,000 children and families facing poverty, violence, and injustice in the Chicago area to build better lives. Though Kids Above All’s programs have evolved over time to meet our clients’ needs, our 130-year-old mission to build better lives for our clients remains at the core of our work to ensure all kids have every opportunity to become independent adults who lead meaningful, productive lives. First UMC participates in the annual Back-to-School Drive and Holiday Gift Drive along with other opportunities throughout the year.

FISH Food Pantry

FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville feeds about 550 families each month.  They are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and Wednesday evenings.  Monetary donations are used to buy food at a deep discount from the Northern Illinois Food Bank.  Diapers and hygiene items that are not available from the Food Bank are donated by the community as are fresh vegetables from the Congregational Garden.  FUMCWD has a collection bin in the hallway outside the church office.  Checks can be made out to First UMC with Food Pantry in the memo line.

50Year CROP-Seal600

CROP Hunger Walks help end hunger by raising funds to support local food programs and the international anti-hunger work of Church World Service. 75% of CROP Walk proceeds benefit global causes through Church World Service; 25% of funds raised benefit local organizations.  Local agencies that benefit include Northern Illinois Food Bank, FISH Food Pantry, Meals with Wheels, Project Hope, Wauconda-Island Lake Food Pantry, UPBC Summer Lunch Program in Wauconda, and the Barrington Area Ministerial Association People in Need (PIN) Program.  Click here to see our team leader’s personal page.

community crisis center Elgin

Founded in 1975, the Community Crisis Center services offers a 24 hour crisis hotline and information and referral; emergency temporary shelter for 40 women and children who are homeless due to domestic violence or financial crisis; individual and group counseling; medical, legal and welfare advocacy; financial assistance to abate homelessness; emergency food pantry; a batterers’ intervention program; a transitional living program; a distinct children’s program; and community education. The Community Crisis Center service area includes northern Kane County from St. Charles to the northern edge of the county and far northwest suburban Cook County; there are no service area limits for domestic violence victims.  

red bird mission

First UMC saves various labels to support Red Bird Christian School through the Labels for Education program.  These include Box tops for Education, Coke Points, Tyson Points, Kellogg Points and more.

 
 
spirit lake logo
 
Shoeboxes for Spirit Lake  ~ First UMC West Dundee supports Epworth UMC in Elgin as they supply up to 1,000 Christmas gift boxes distributed to the Spirit Lake Nation across the Dakotas and Minnesota.  Spirit Lake is a United Methodist Ministry Center and the boxes are often the only Christmas the children receive.
umcor
 
UMCOR is a ministry of The United Methodist Church through the General Board of Global Ministries and our goal is to assist the most vulnerable persons affected by crisis or chronic need without regard to their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.  We believe all people have God – given worth and dignity.
 
UMCOR’S work reaches people in more than 80 countries, including the United States.  We provide humanitarian relief when war, conflict, or natural disaster disrupts life to such an extent that communities are unable to recover on their own.
 
While UMCOR cooperates with other aid organizations to extend our reach, our most important partners are the people we serve.  We are confident that successful solutions to emergency or chronic conditions begin with the affected population.  UMCOR provides these survivors not only temporary relief but long – term education, training, and support.
 
UMCOR spends 100 percent of designated donations on the projects our donors specify.  When UMCOR donors give their time, money, and supplies, they join UMCOR as the hands and feet of Christ.