Welcome to the Outreach Committee's mini-newsletter page called "Outreach News."  This page contains volunteer opportunities and information on fundraising events held by the many ministries that we support (through our time, talent and gifts).  We have a Ministries We Support page which lists those organizations we help both financially and with volunteers and a separate Ministries That Need Volunteers page which will give you information on organizations that need your help.

Souper Bowl Sunday, February 5th

More than 20 years ago, the Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer from a youth group: “Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat.”

Since that day, more than $81million has been raised for local charities across the country through Souper Bowl of Caring. It has become a powerful movement that is transforming the time around the Super Bowl weekend into the nation’s largest celebration of giving and serving. Be part of this movement that is sharing God’s love with those in need. Please give generously on Super Bowl Sunday. Every dollar donated goes to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.

1. On Sunday February 12, you can donate by placing your contribution into the “Valentines for Food” offering envelope from your Sunday bulletin and dropping it into the PUMC offering plate (checks payable to PUMC). Or you can send your donation directly to Crisis Ministry, 123 E. Hanover Street, Trenton, NJ 08608.
2. McCaffrey’s Supermarket will generously match every $3.99 “Valentine” bought at their Princeton and West Windsor stores, up to $5,000.
3. You can send “Virtual Valentines” to loved ones through February 9 by logging onto www.thecrisisministry.org.

Thank you Salvation Army Ringers!

The results of the Salvation Army Kettle ringing are in……$7,946…..and our church set
another record! We lead all Mercer County volunteer groups in dollar contributions. Could it just be that Methodist smile? This brings the total results for the last seven years to $48,000! What a difference you have made in our community. Thanks to all of you who found time in your busy schedules to care for our less fortunate brothers and sisters.

The Isles Affordable Housing Project

Trenton is experiencing a housing crisis.  One out of five of Trenton’s housing units are vacant, many of them dilapidated and abandoned.  Nearly half of all renters – and 20% of homeowners – spend more than 35% of their income on housing.   

Princeton United Methodist Church has launched a partnership with ISLES, a Trenton-based not-for-profit, to help refurbish affordable housing in the Old Trenton neighborhood and is looking for volunteers.  The team spends one Saturday each month working on historic housing units being rehabilitated by Isles, an organization with more than 15 years of experience in developing affordable housing. Photos of our Church members at work in Trenton in April through the present can be found on this page. Information on dates, times and location of construction events can be found in the News Section of this website or by contacting our Church's team leader at isles-project(at)princetonumc.org. We ask that you do this so that we can send you (via e-mail) the details about this trip and preparations you'll need to make.  Thank you.