The Comics That Care: Auggie Smith, Mike Polites, Marques Bunn, and Stan Chen.

Over 2 hours of laughter echoed through the IUPUI Campus Center as The Department of Communication Studies, the Communication Club, and the Salvation Army presented the 4th annual Comics That Care charity event to benefit Central Indiana’s Homeless Children.  Some of the area’s funniest professional stand-up comedians donated their time, including the headliner, a Bob and Tom Show favorite, Auggie Smith. Smith, has been doing comedy for over 15 years and has been seen on Comedy Centeral . Other comedians performing were some of Indy’s funniest folks including: Stan Chen, Marques Bunn, and Mike Polites.

In addition to performing stand-up comedy, Polites is also a Lecturer in Communication Studies at IUPUI. Polites says that “as faculty members at IUPUI, we pride ourselves on getting our students to realize the importance of helping out the community. With all of the comedians graciously donating their time, proceeds from the comedy show will assist in bringing much-needed resources to the growing homeless population in Indianapolis. I’m so proud of the efforts that my students have put forth in coordinating this very special and very funny event. In these tough times, everyone can use a laugh.”

Please join us next Friday, in the fight against homelessness in central Indiana! Everybody enjoys some noodles, right? Grab your coworkers for lunch or bring the family for dinner.

25% of sales will go to The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Bites campaign.

When: Friday, March 12 – 11 am to 8 pm

Where: Noodles & Co. 3450 W. 86th St.

* Make sure to mention The Salvation Army when ordering.

Comedians Troy Davis, Mike Polites, Mel Fine, Marques Bunn, and Stan Chen perform at Comics That Care 2009.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – IUPUI students and the Indianapolis community will be laughing for a good cause next week. The Department of Communication Studies along with the Department’s Communication Club in the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI have partnered with the Salvation Army to present Comics That Care, a charity event to benefit Central Indiana’s Homeless Children. The show will be held on Monday, March 8^th at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center at IUPUI. Some of the area’s funniest professional stand-up comedians are donating their time, including the headliner, a Bob and Tom Show favorite, Auggie Smith. Smith is original and very hysterical. He’s been doing comedy for over 15 years visiting clubs and colleges all over the nation. Other comedians performing are some if Indy’s funniest folks including: Troy Davis, Mel Fine, Marques Bunn, and Mike Polites.

In addition to performing stand-up comedy, Polites is also a Lecturer in Communication Studies at IUPUI. Polites says that “as faculty members at IUPUI, we pride ourselves on getting our students to realize the importance of helping out the community. With all of the comedians graciously donating their time, proceeds from the comedy show will assist in bringing much-needed resources to the growing homeless population in Indianapolis. I’m so proud of the efforts that my students have put forth in coordinating this very special and very funny event. In these tough times, everyone can use a laugh, so we hope to pack the house!” Tickets can be purchased by visiting the JagTag office in the IUPUI Campus Center, or at the door. The event organizers invite the entire Indianapolis community to join them for a night of fun and laughs!

For more information about this event, please contact Mike Polites, Comedian and Project Manager, at 317-417-3246 or mpolites@iupui.edu.

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I remember November the fourth.  That was the day that I walked into The Salvation Army.  That day could have been a bright, sunny day, but at that moment everything around me was dark.

I remember the lady at the front desk asked how she could help me.  I remember trying to talk to her as I broke down into tears while explaining that I had no place to stay and I needed shelter.  I was immediately given a roof over my head, food to eat and a bed to lay my weary body.  During my stay at Salvation Army I met other ladies who were going through similar situations.  After going through a depression, I began to deal with my sadness and anger and began attending programs, classes and bible studies.  I began to start feeling more uplifted and realized that God had a real plan for me.

The shelter staff and my case manager encouraged me all through my trip to a new beginning.  I want to tell you that having caring people behind you really means a lot.  I am now working and recently started going to school.  I even found my own apartment!

I believe with God’s blessings and the Salvation Army’s help I am now on my way.  Like I said, the door swings two ways, you may walk in down, but you can walk out with your head held high knowing that you are blessed and not having to look back at the garbage you left behind.

Thank you Salvation Army.  God is good all the time!

So if you’re up for some popcorn and a movie (and there are some great ones currently playing), watch for the Apple Fest video during the previews. It will be shown in the following theaters starting Friday, Sept. 18:

Castleton Square 14
College Park 14
Eagle Highlands
Indianapolis Showplace with IMAX
Indianapolis Traders Point
Shiloh Crossing
Village Park Cinema 17

You can also watch the video here on YouTube.

Let us know that you saw the ad! Make sure to tell all your friends and family about Apple Fest and keep filling up those Bite-Back boxes for the Homelessness Bites drive to end homelessness here in Indy.

Have a blessed weekend!

Colts fans are encouraged to show their spirit by wearing the color blue and participating in activities to fire themselves up for the upcoming Colts game.  Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Over The Top is coming to Conseco Fieldhouse, September 10-13 and the Indianapolis Colts are gearing up for the season home opener on Sunday, September 13 vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Look for the Homelessness Bites booth in front of the Emmis Communications building.  Stop by to find out more about Apple Fest.  It’s almost here!  You can also pick up a Bite Back Box and help fight homelessness in Indianapolis.  See you tomorrow.  Go Colts!

Mel McMahon will be the official spokesperson for The Salvation Army's Homelessness Bites Campaign.

The Salvation Army is pleased to introduce Mel McMahon as the official spokesperson for our Homelessness Bites campaign.  Mel will lend her on-air talents to one of The Salvation Army’s largest programs in Central Indiana.

Mel is best known for her work on FOX 59, WIBC, and HANK FM.  A graduate from Indiana University, Mel is currently pursuing her MBA with a concentration in Public Affairs Management.  “My main goal as spokesperson is awareness.  It’s women and children, moms and dads, who are being affected by homelessness, not just the people we may see on the street or around the Circle,” said Mel.

Over 30% of the homeless in Indianapolis are single moms with two or more children under 10 years old. The funds raised through Homelessness Bites will be used to offer housing assistance, resources and support to moms and children find themselves homeless due to a financial struggles and domestic violence.

One of Mel’s first official appearances will be at the 6th annual Apple Fest on Monument Circle.  The annual lunchtime event supports the Homelessness Bites campaign and features, live music, hot apple cobbler, and lunch items from Applebee’s Restaurant.  The event will be held on Thursday October 1, from 10:30 AM until 1:30 PM.  For more information about Apple Fest, Homelessness Bites, and Mel McMahon, visit HomelessnessBites.org.

The Salvation Army is now reporting a 15% increase in request for assistance over last year. This is up another 2% from the previous month. There has also been a dramatic increase in the need for shelter. Connect2Help, an organization that connects those needing assistance with those who provide it, said the need for shelter is the number one request received in their call center. CHIP, the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, is also seeing creases in the number of homeless, specifically children. In 2008, children represented 17% of Marion County’s homeless. Today they represent nearly 25% of the homeless population.  You can see all the numbers by downloading the report below.

2009 CHIP Report

Connect2Help 2008 Report

Homelessness Bites is committed to serving the homeless in our community.  Find out how you can Bite Back!

A young boy plays one of the many family games at the first annual "A Night In Our City."

The corner of Park and 10th in downtown Indy was the site of fun, food, and live music as the community supported the first annual “A Night In Our City.” The event, which was put on by The Salvation Army and Response Church, supported women and children affected by domestic violence and proceeds went to The Salvation Army’s shelter for Women and Children.

Last month, The Salvation Army served 152 women and children in its downtown shelter, and 126 were seeking shelter due to domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, isolation and forced prostitution. In the first quarter of this year, 428 women and 223 children came to The Salvation Army seeking safety and shelter. Last year, the Army served 1,785 homeless and abused women and children, and served an average of 6,500 meals per month.
Response Church, which has been a faithful supporter of The Salvation Army’s shelter for almost 2 years, wanted to do something special for the shelter. “We saw a need here. We wanted to raise awareness and support for this incredible ministry,” said Bethany Nelson of Response Church.

The event featured live music, games, and auctions, and food was provided by Hot Box Pizza and Starbuck’s coffee. “Seeing this reminds me that an event like this is all about community and how important it is for us to come together to support each other,” said Major Richard Amick, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army.

Even the threat of storms didn’t keep people form attending the new event. “We are very please with the turn out. This is a great night,” said Nelson.

If you would like to know more about The Salvation Army’s Shelter for Women and Children go to IndySocialServices.org.

See Photos of “A Night In Our City”

Homelessness is becoming a major issue in Indianapolis, but not in a way most people may think.  The face of homelessness is not the panhandler on the corner, it’s a child.  More than 17% of the homeless population in Indianapolis are children with an average age of 9 years old.  Homelessness Bites is The Salvation Army’s initiative to end homelessness in Indianapolis.  Last year, The Salvation Army served 1,785 women and children at its shelter and each month we serve about 6,700 meals.

You can help us help those who are homeless and seeking shelter.  Click on the Bite Back link and find out how.  You can also help and find out more by coming to our “A Night in Our City” event on Friday June 19th, from 6-9 PM, on the corner of Park and 10th in downtown Indianapolis.  The event will bring public awareness to the great need in Indianapolis and will raise support for The Salvation Army’s Shelter for Women and Children.  Live music, games, and a silent auction are just some of the activities planned for the evening.  Food will be provided by Hot Box Pizza and Starbuck’s coffee.

Find out more about The Salvation Army’s Shelter for Women and Children at IndySocialServices.org.