SERVE Hunger

emergency assistance

Carlisle has many resources to help our neighbors in need. Please check out the current brochure describing help with housing, food, electricity, and other basic needs.
PA211 - A state-wide phone number for finding many forms of assistance within Pennsylvania. Dial "211" and follow the prompts regarding the assistance that is needed. It offers information by ZIP code.
CUMC Emergency Assistance Fund - CUMC operates this limited fund to assist those with emergency needs that cannot be met in an appropriate time frame or through other community agencies. Assistance is available on Thursdays between 10:00am and Noon when the Church Office is open. Applicants must have a valid ID card with a current address, and copies of bills. Funds and information on other resources are given confidentially and made possible through the generosity of our church family. CUMC reserves the right to share necessary application information with Samaritan Fellowship.

fruitbelt farmworkers

Each fall hundreds of migrant workers come to Cumberland and Franklin counties to help pick the area's plentiful harvest of apples. CUMC partners with the Fruitbelt Farmworkers ministry to share meals and collect and provide blankets, sweatshirts, caps, gloves, food, health kits, and Spanish Bibles for 40 migrant workers each fall. Read more about the expectations of our Fruitbelt team here. If you are interested in helping, contact Fred Burgess,

salvation army: my brother's table

Each month CUMC provides a dinner meal for those who do not have the resources or means to provide their own. Volunteers plan the menu, cook, and serve the meal. They pray together with our guests prior to eating. While guests eat, CUMC volunteers mingle and receive prayer requests. 
This ministry requires a willingness to serve not only food but also share God's love with guests. To help on Tuesdays, contact Ron Chipriano, To help on one Saturday a quarter, contact Randy Heberlig, at

project share

Project SHARE is our community food bank and services over 3,000 each month in our community. CUMC has partnered with Project SHARE in three ways:

  1. SHARE Boxes - CUMC provides funds and helps to pack food for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families living on the edge. Boxes given through other local agencies during Nursing Aid Classes, Community Aid, Employment Skills Center, etc. Boxes are given for 8-12 weeks at a time, with fresh ingredients and recipes to make dinner at home.
  2. Spices - During Serve Pop-Ups after worship a few times a year, all ages are invited to help pack spices that are given at food distributions. All supplies are provided to pack 500-600 spice packs, such as taco or italian seasonings, four times a year.
  3. Donations/Thanksgiving Dinner - Each November CUMC joins others in the community to support holiday meals to those in the community in need. CUMC provides ways to sponsor an entire meal or sides. Throughout the year donations are shared often to support general food needs, Souper Bowl of Caring, and others ways to feed our neighbors. With Project SHARE's buying power, donations are tripled.