Providing basic necessities, fostering stable lives, &
organizing for a just and compassionate community.
Chum is a 501(c)(3) organization whose programs serve more than 8,000 low-income, homeless, hungry, isolated, or otherwise marginalized community members in Duluth, MN each year. Chum was founded in 1973 when 10 churches in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood pooled their resources to meet the needs of the neighborhood’s many low-income residents.
We are now the largest service safety net in Duluth, MN for those experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and poverty.
We provide the basic needs that everyone has and help our guests move forward to begin to prosper.
* In 2024, Chum's overnight shelters served 1791 unduplicated individuals.
* 17% of Duluth (almost 1 in 5 people) live below the poverty line.
* To meet current housing demands, Duluth would need 8,713 new units.
Chum's services include:
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Chum Overnight Shelter + Drop-in Center: Where those experiencing homelessness can stay overnight or drop-in to relax, build community, and receive things such as: meals, bathrooms, showers, safe storage, mailing services, phone & internet services, ID recovery, day sleeping areas, health & wellness services, harm reduction services, overdose monitoring, peer support services, housing services, money saving program, and referrals to partner organizations.
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Chum Food Shelf: Duluth's largest food shelf, where people can come for food and fresh produce in a welcoming space. Chum's Food Shelf also operates Chum2GO, a food shelf delivery van for those who don't have access to transportation, as well as a secondary pop-up food shelf location in West Duluth.
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Steve O'Neil Apartments: Permanent supportive housing for low-income families, working to break the cycle of generational poverty and homelessness. Resources include after-school programming, daycare, and support for parents. Also offers an Emergency Family Shelter for families transitioning out of homelessness.
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St. Francis Apartments: Permanent supportive housing for seniors transitioning out of homelessness, including programming for residents.
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Seasonal Shelters:
- Winter Warming Center: A safe space for those seeking overnight shelter during the winter months, providing bathrooms, showers, housing services, etc.
- Safe Bay: A safe place for those living out of their vehicles to park overnight, providing bathrooms, showers, housing services, etc.
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Street Outreach and HUB: Outreach teams that connect with people living outside in places not meant for human habitation, allowing those to access health care, harm reduction, and housing services.
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