The Bulletin – December 26

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Canned goods at personal-care items occupy shelves at the Community Outreach Ministry Eastside pantry at First Baptist Church in Cumberland. (Tom Russo | Daily Reporter)

Grocery shoppers can support food pantry at checkout

CUMBERLAND — Community Outreach Ministry Eastside (COME) hopes grocery shoppers will donate at the store to help the food pantry the ministry operates out of Cumberland First Baptist Church.

Through Meijer’s holiday Simply Give campaign, shoppers can pick up a gift card near the checkout, give it to the cashier, and indicate how much they wish to donate. Donations at the Cumberland Meijer (11315 East Washington St.) will support the COME pantry. The program runs through Saturday, Jan. 2.

Eight member churches in Hancock and Marion counties form COME and also support the pantry.

Pantry leaders point out the Simply Give program has generated more than $57 million in food donations for more than 230 food pantries in the Midwest since 2008.

COME member churches are Amity United Methodist Church in Greenfield, Cumberland Christian Church, Cumberland First Baptist Church, Cumberland United Methodist Church, Eastgate Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Indianapolils, Mt. Comfort Church, St. John United Church of Christ in Cumberland and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Indianapolis.

Lights, trees viewable at Hope Center Indy

INDIANAPOLIS — A Christmas tree walk and lights opened Dec. 4 at Hope Center Indy and remain open for viewing daily.

About 30 live trees from Michigan are decorated and viewable in the prayer center and tunnel at the front of the facility from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Outdoor lights and the Garden of Peace are viewable from 6 to 9 p.m.

Hope Center leaders have said they hope families will take advantage of an opportunity to enjoy Christmas cheer in a socially distanced way, as they can stop by whenever they choose while it’s open. They imagine visitors coming to the center, perhaps stopping by its coffee shop, and strolling among the trees.

Nursery items available

GREENFIELD — Do you know someone who could benefit from a nursery item? Trinity Park United Methodist Church has a giving nursery stocked with new and gently used items, and the church wants them to be put to good use: wooden cribs, mattresses, toddler beds, strollers, pack n’ plays, bouncers, walkers, and more. Call 317-462-4303 for information.