CEC Outreach News: February 12, 2021
Join Us on February 15th to Help Feed the Hungry at Grassroots
If you want to celebrate Presidents’ Day, why not reach out to help others? One way is to prepare a side dish or dessert for the monthly meal that we provide for the 50 residents of the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. Or you can bring items for their pantry to be enjoyed round-the-clock by residents of the live-in facility on Freetown Rd.
On Monday, Feb. 15th, please plan to arrive between 3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. outside Old Brick.
There’s a new twist, starting this month and going forward. After parishioners had suggested using an electronic registry to improve planning for the meal, the Outreach Commission was pleased to respond. Starting this week, volunteers can go online to the Christ Church Grassroots Meal link on SignUpGenius to learn which items are requested and to tell coordinators what you plan to bring.
During the pandemic, Christ Church began these parking-lot drop-offs in lieu of the monthly meals that we once provided in-person at another Grassroots facility, the Dorsey/Rt. 1 Day Resource Center. That facility remains closed due to the coronavirus, except for curbside distribution of non-perishables.
In this pandemic-era tradition, co-coordinator Nancy Winchester acquires fried chicken at Weis and meets the other volunteers as they enter the Christ Church parking lot. Nancy then transports the food to Freetown Road for handoff to the staff of Grassroots.
Additional participants — and the resulting side dishes, desserts, fruit, and granola bars to complement our main course — are always welcome. Be sure to wear a mask with multiple layers and plan to practice social distancing to keep everyone safe. For questions in addition to the information available at the sign-up link, ask Nancy or co-coordinator Shahra Toth or email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Now’s the time to mark your calendars for the subsequent meals, which are typically scheduled on the third Monday of the month. Save the dates of March 15 and April 19. The time and place remain the same, and please arrive no later than 3:30 p.m. because the departure for Grassroots is prompt.
On their own, parishioners at Christ Church have signed up to provide the evening meal on several evenings recently for the 50 adults and children. Consider pitching in, by picking a date to provide an entree and side dishes, or just the entree. Grassroots encourages an order of 12 pizzas -- four with cheese and the rest with meat (any kind), or rotisserie chickens (12 to make a meal), but discourages lasagna or other pasta entrees. Another welcome option is takeout from restaurants to help the workforce. Here is a link to the sign-up list maintained by Grassroots.
Share the News of a Pop-Up Pantry on February 19th in Jessup
If you or someone you know is in need of food, the Howard County government is spreading the word. A pop-up pantry will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 19 at the Ridgely Run Community Center, 8400 Mission Road in Jessup. The county’s Office of Human Rights and Equity’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission and the Harriet Tubman Foundation of Howard County are the sponsors.
Drives Continue to Collect Diapers and Personal Care Items for CCC and Non-liquid, Non-perishable Foods for FISH
Parishioners are asked to support Columbia Community Care (CCC), an all-volunteer effort that came together in Howard County in response to the pandemic, by collecting diapers, baby wipes, and personal care items. CCC needs women’s sanitary care products, soaps, shampoo, deodorant, and other toiletries. Please put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” just inside the Parish Hall door. You can drop off items on weekdays until 2 p.m., but we ask that you call the church office (410) 381-9365 to let them know when you are coming.
Meanwhile, the basket of groceries for FISH of Howard County that once stood at the altar has been replaced by a yellow bin, marked “FISH” on the breezeway between the Parish Hall and Old Brick. During winter, please contribute items such as cereal and granola bars that will not freeze. Please do NOT bring canned goods, liquids in plastic such as juices and salad dressing, or glass containers.
In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.
February LEMS Committee Update
LEMS teachers will be returning to the school building this month. To help the teachers and staff feel appreciated, the LEMS provided goodie bags for each of them, as requested by the school principal. The LEMS committee is continuing to provide food for ten families one weekend a month. If anyone is interested in volunteering with the monthly bulk purchasing, bagging, and delivering to the school when New Brick reopens please contact the committee. With local COVID cases still elevated we are following strict safety precautions and will expect the same of all volunteers. If you have any questions, please contact lemspc@christchurchcolumbia.org.
WOCC Outreach - Seafarer’s Donations
For years, the WOCC has been involved in providing requested items to Seafarers. Below is a list of the types of magazines, books, and DVD’s/CD’s to be donated. If you can help, it would be greatly appreciated. The Seafarer’s bin is in the lower level, near the bottom of the steps, in the Parish House.
Suggested Items needed:
· Bible in modern English (or Tagalog, Russian, or Chinese),
· Times/Newsweek/etc. up to 3 months old
· Sports Illustrated/People/etc. up to 6 months
· Cars/Computers/Consumers magazines - up to 1 year
· Reader’s Digest up to a couple of years
· National Geographic (post-2000)
· Books (except for Bibles) are less often requested, but some seafarers do appreciate action novels, as well as picture books about Baltimore or the U.S.
· Action/adventure DVD’s. Recent popular CD’s.
· Religious books (in easy English), DVD’s, CD’s; rosaries.
In general, if you have suggestions about ways to help the community, if you want to get involved, or if you need assistance, please email Christ Church Outreach at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.