Seasonal Programs
School Backpack Program
The SMUM School Backpack Program provides backpacks with school supplies to grade school, middle school, and high school children and youth. Each of the three groups will receive grade-appropriate supplies in their backpacks. Donations of supplies are collected in July each year. Registration for this program is limited to SMUM Clients, in July. Distribution of free backpacks is during the first week in August.
Over 800 backpacks were distributed at the end of the 2010 summer to grade school, middle school, and high school students.
Christmas Gift Packages
Christmas Gift Packages include new toys, new clothing or gift certificates, provided to SMUM Clients (ages 0 to 17), along with special Christmas food packages. Registration is during November each year. Donations of gifts are collected during December. Distribution of free Christmas gifts is during December.
834 Christmas Gifts were distributed in 2010 (about the same as in 2009).
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is provided to low and moderate income families by over fifteen IRS-certified volunteers, speaking English, Spanish, and Vietnamese languages. The VITA service is available on specified evenings and Saturdays from February through mid-April. The program includes free e-filing of tax forms and enhanced services to undocumented immigrants.
VITA helped over 100 families with their income tax returns in 2010. Over $200K was returned to the local economy from the households that e-file with the VITA program at SMUM.