CEC Outreach News: January 6, 2022
Help Feed the Hungry as One of Our Grassroots Meal Drop-Offs Will Take Place as Planned on Monday, Jan. 10
You are invited to cook a side dish or a dessert for the evening meal at the Live-In Facility operated by Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center on Monday, Jan. 10. Please plan to arrive between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. at the parking lot outside Old Brick.
Other than homemade menu items, you are also invited to bring goods for the pantry to be enjoyed round-the-clock. Granola bars and fruits are popular with the 50 residents of the Freetown Rd. facility. Please click on the Christ Church Grassroots Meal link on SignUpGenius to view a suggested menu and to tell coordinators what you’ll bring.
For parishioners who had welcomed a brief return to in-person volunteering, we’re disappointed to share the news that the pandemic has interfered once again. Due to the surging omicron variant of the coronavirus, Grassroots has suspended many indoor operations at its Day Resource Center (DRC) at the Dorsey Center. No hot meals will be served in January.
Last month, Christ Church had successfully used a consolidated approach to feed the hungry for two groups of diners. On Monday, Dec. 13, the Outreach Commission arranged to purchase fried chicken at Weis and collect side dishes for both the midday meal at DRC and the evening meal at Grassroots’ Live-In Facility. In November, parishioners also provided meals at both locations after the DRC reopened following a long pandemic shutdown.
Organizers hope that hot meals at the DRC might resume next month. The drop-off date for the next meal at Grassroots Live-In Facility will be Valentine’s Day – Monday, Feb. 14.
Please sign up online no later than noon on the Sunday prior to each meal on Monday. For questions, please email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org so we can put you in touch with co-coordinators Nancy Winchester and Shahra Toth.
Check Off a New Year’s Resolution: Start to Get Involved in Christ Church Outreach by Attending Our Zoom Meeting on Monday, Jan. 10
It’s as rewarding to get more fully involved in helping others as it is to fulfill resolutions about diet and exercise. So why not start now? The next Outreach Commission meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 10. Join in virtually to learn more about opportunities in 2022 and to share your own ideas. Information on how to join the meeting by Zoom or by phone will be provided in the Church notices about online activities next week.
Warm Wishes From West Baltimore Families of SLYC to Christ Church Families
A New Year’s greeting (image above) has arrived from the leaders, families, and children at St. Luke’s Youth Center, which had expressed gratitude for a donation last summer to its Camp Imagination. The nonprofit SLYC operates from the former St. Luke’s Episcopal parish on N. Carey Street. SLYC is a collaborative of West Baltimore families working together with friends, neighbors, and partners to provide youth with critical resources, life-enriching experiences, and a safety net of support. If you wish to receive an electronic copy of its program report, please email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
The day camp served about 30 youth from ages 5 to 13 and involved 12 teen leaders and six professional art instructors. Children received more than 60 hours of reading and academic enrichment. The youngsters and their families also benefited from extended days that were made possible by a $500 donation to SLYC approved by the Outreach Commission. The funds came from the Christ Church parishioners’ contributions to General Outreach.
Columbia Community Care Moves Indoors for Winter
This is a reminder that the all-volunteer organization, Columbia Community Care (CCC) is changing some operations as winter arrives. Starting Saturday, Jan. 8, distribution will move indoors at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd. The Oakland Mills Middle School (OMMS) site will relocate to the Barn/Teen Center indoor space in the Oakland Mills Village Center, 5851 Robert Oliver Place in Columbia.
There are no changes for Long Reach, which is already indoors at Long Reach Village Center, Suite 9, 8775 Cloudleap Ct.
Saturday hours are the same as before: 10 a.m. to noon for recipients, and volunteers and donation drop-off beginning at 9 a.m. There will be no Wednesday hours. You’ll find updates such as requests for volunteers posted in the CCC Facebook Group.
At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue supporting CCC by collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers. Please put any of these items in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. You can drop off items on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sunday.
FISH Continues its Request for Cookies, Crackers, and Snacks
As the New Year begins, organizers for FISH of Howard County continue to ask for cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill shopping lists. They also say thanks to Christ Church for its response to their earlier needs, which produced an adequate inventory of household cleaning supplies and personal items. The bin is on the breezeway near the door to the Parish Hall.
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.
