Sumter Item kicks off 7th Summer of Caring to fundraise for Sumter United Ministries

After a year off because of pandemic-related chaos, The Sumter Item is returning to its now seven-year tradition of fundraising for Sumter United Ministries during the summer months.

Now through Labor Day, Item readers will be asked to donate as much or as little as they are able in support of the faith-based nonprofit, which provides free emergency services, such as food, shelter and clothing, and life-rebuilding services, such as home repair, accessibility compliance, air-conditioning access and upgrades, medical needs and education assistance.

In 2019, Summer of Caring raised more than $4,000. Since 2014, it has collected and donated more than $31,000 to SUM.

Unlike the Item's wintertime Fireside Fund, which provides funding only for heating assistance, donations made through Summer of Caring can be used in any ministry by the nonprofit.

Mark Champagne, SUM executive director, said now is a good time for his staff and their volunteers to plan for when they see an influx of clients and needs. People still have relief through COVID-19 payments, he said, but "that won't last forever." He is anticipating more people needing assistance with basic needs, such as food and bills, through the Crisis Relief Ministry when those benefits end.

They also need more volunteers to be ready for when that happens, he said.

"If we got really busy right now, we'd have a hard time hanging on," he said.

SUM, which opened in 1994, has been receiving some extra funding through COVID-19-related relief packages, but that, too, Champagne noted, will not last forever.

Assistance from Summer of Caring funding may end up being the installation of a wheelchair ramp, or it may be medical supplies for a clinic patient, for example. Donations may help pay a final notice to prevent a family losing their air conditioning in the middle of summer.

Updates on new donations and impacts will publish on Wednesdays.