Coins for Lent 2026

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During Lent, we are reminded to examine our lifestyles and ask, "What can we do for others?" 

Part of faith formation at any age is compassion and offering a serving heart to our neighbors. We need to demonstrate compassion to others now more than ever. Lent is a good time to commit to giving money to a project that helps those in need. 

One way to involve the family is to collect coins during Lent and donate the money after Easter. Follow our Coins for Lent Giving Calendar as a guide.

Choose a Project

If you decide to do this as a family or as a congregation, first determine where you would like your money to go. Regardless of their age, everyone should have a voice in the decision. Maybe a community food bank could use funds to purchase food for the hungry. Perhaps you could contribute to a project beyond your local community.

Heifer International is an agency that addresses needs around the world and helps families become self-sufficient in sustainable ways. The United Methodist Church and Heifer International share a vision of ending hunger and poverty. You can find out more about Heifer International at Heifer.org. You may know of another project to which you would like to give your money. Visit the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries website at https://umcmission.org to find Advance mission opportunities to donate money. Ask within your United Methodist annual conference or district to find other local projects to support. Select an agency that would appreciate your contribution.

How to Collect the Coins

Once you have selected a project, decide what coins you want to collect. You may want to contribute a quarter for every item on the giving calendar. You may want to simply collect loose change and give whatever coins you have for each item. [Interesting conversations can be had here regarding the elimination of the penny from our money system.] 

Now make a container to collect the money. Use a plastic tub, jar, or a coin bank that you aren’t currently using in your home. Decorate it and place it where the entire family can see it (and contribute to it).

Items on the daily guide will remind us of all we have and how little others may have. Each Sunday, pray as a family for the project and the people who will benefit from your gifts. Our giving begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes with Holy Saturday. During Lent, Sundays are for worship and praise to God and are reflected with a weekly day of prayer.

The 2026 Lenten Coin Calendar aligns with our worship series for Lent, https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/renewed-in-mercy. 

DOWNLOAD Coins for Lent Giving Calendar (PDF)

FEBRUARY 2026

• February 18, 2026, Ash Wednesday Prayer Prompt:
  
  “God, thank you for walking with us on this journey. Help us notice your love every day.”
  Pray today, thanking God for those who will journey with you during this Lenten season.
   
• February 19--A coin for every backpack in your house.
• February 20--A coin for every pair of shoes in your house.
• February 21--A coin for every pair of socks in your dresser drawer. [This number may be different for each member of the family]
• February 22, 2026, Sunday Prayer Prompt:
  
  “God, thank you for being with us even when the road is hard. Help us notice your mercy.”
  Pray today, thanking God for the people in your life that are with you when things become difficult. Pray for those who are having a difficult time and need to feel the presence of God in their lives.
   
• February 23--A coin for every room in your home.
• February 24--A coin for every pillow in your home.
• February 25 –A coin for every chair in your home.
• February 26--A coin for every blanket in your home.
• February 27--A coin for every bathroom in your home.
• February 28--A coin for every bed in your house.

MARCH 2026

• March 1,2026, Sunday 
  
  Prayer Prompt:
  “God, thank you for the life and love you give us. Help us grow closer to you every day.”
  Pray today, thanking God for shelter. Pray for those who have no place to sleep at night.
   
• March 2--A coin for every box of cereal.
• March 3--A coin for every can of soup.
• March 4--A coin for every type of bread in your home.
• March 5--A coin for every jar of jelly.
• March 6--A coin for every bottle of salad dressing/condiment.
• March 7--A coin for every jar of peanut butter.
• March 8, 2026, Sunday 
  
  Prayer Prompt:
  “God, thank you for walking with us and putting people in our lives to love and help us.”
  
  Pray today, thanking God for the food you enjoy. Pray for those who have no food on this day.
   
• March 9--A coin for every light switch in your home.
• March 10--A coin for every candle in your home.
• March 11--A coin for every flashlight (including the one on your smartphone). In your home
• March 12--A coin for every electrical outlet in your home.
• March 13--A coin for every window in your home.
• March 14--A coin for every pair of sunglasses in your home/car.
• March 15, 2026, Sunday 
  
  Prayer Prompt:
  “God, help us shine your love and kindness wherever we go.”
  
  Pray today, thanking God for love in your life that shines as bright as the brightest light. Pray for those who are in darkness and need to feel God’s love and grace in their lives.
   
• March 16--A coin for every box of Band-Aids® in your house.
• March 17--A coin for every bottle of vitamins in your house.
• March 18--A coin for every bottle of Tylenol® in your house.
• March 19--A coin for every tube of Chapstick® in your house.
• March 20--A coin for every toothbrush and tube of toothpaste in your house.
• March 21--A coin for every cough drop/throat lozenge in your house.
• March 22, 2026, Sunday 
  
  Prayer Prompt:
  “God, thank you for bringing life and hope even in hard times. Help us trust your love and see your new life everywhere.”
  
  Pray today, thanking God for your health. Pray for those who are sick.
   
• March 23--A coin for every ball cap or hat in your house.
• March 24--A coin for every sweatshirt in your house.
• March 25--A coin for every pair of jeans or pants in your house.
• March 26--A coin for every pair of gloves in your house.
• March 27--A coin for every T-shirt in your house.
• March 28--A coin for every coat or jacket in your closet.
• March 29, 2026, Palm/Passion Sunday 
  
  Prayer Prompt:
  Hosanna, King Jesus,
  We praise God in all things
  We bow our knees in awe of God’s grace that surrounds us
  Help us honor and welcome you every day
  Show us ways to be a blessing to others
  Hosanna in the highest, Amen
  
  Pray today, thanking God for clothing that protects you from the elements. Pray for those who lack clothing to keep them warm and dry.
   
• March 30--A coin for every Bible in your house.
• March 31--A coin for every book of hymns or sacred songs in your home.

APRIL 2026

• April 1--A coin for every cross in your home.
• April 2--A coin for every prayer you say today.
• April 3--A coin for every story of Jesus you can tell.
• April 4--A coin for every person in your family.
• April 5, 2026, Easter Sunday
  
   Prayer Prompt:
  “God of Easter, thank you for the gift of new life and the wonderful, good news that Jesus is alive. Help us to feel the joy of the Resurrection every day and to share that joy with others.”
  
  Pray, thanking God for Jesus and for the many ways we can gather and worship God. Pray for those who will receive the coins collected that they would see God’s presence through them.