CEC Outreach News: June 17, 2021
Thanks to All whose Donations to DRC Have Helped the Homeless and to All in Planning a Grassroots Meal Dropoff next Monday, June 21st
Once again, parishioners and volunteers who join their efforts are looking ahead to the monthly meal that we provide at Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. Save the dates: June 21 and July 19, arriving between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. at the parking lot outside Old Brick. Plan to bring a side dish, a dessert, or items for their pantry to be enjoyed round-the-clock by the 50 residents of the live-in facility on Freetown Rd.
To sign up, use our electronic registry no later than noon on the Sunday prior to the meal on Monday. Click on the Christ Church Grassroots Meal link on SignUpGenius to view requested items and to tell coordinators what you’ll bring.
As usual, co-coordinator Nancy Winchester acquires fried chicken at Weis and meets the other volunteers (see photos). Nancy then transports the hot or cold foods to Freetown Road for handoff to the staff of Grassroots.
Christ Church continues to support Grassroots’ Day Resource Center (DRC) at the Dorsey Center. The DRC has not yet resumed the hot meals that Christ Church had helped serve prior to the pandemic, but it fulfills other needs of our homeless friends.
To get ready for summer, we responded to a request for socks, underwear, and sports drinks to beat the heat. Outreach Commission member Dione Mahoney turned to parishioners' donations that had been designated for the DRC, spending $420 to buy the goods and, with the help of her husband, Jim Mahoney, delivered them to Grassroots staff members in Jessup, Md. Thanks to one and all who contributed!
Grassroots lists some other needs for curbside distribution at the DRC or for the pantry at the Freetown Road facility. Look for its attached file at our sign-up link. For any questions contact Nancy or co-coordinator Shahra Toth or email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
To further help our neighbors in need, some parishioners take it upon themselves to provide the evening meal for the 50 adults and children at Freetown Road. It’s your choice to provide an entree and side dishes, or just the entree. Cook in your own kitchen, or order out. 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. Here is a link to the sign-up list that has openings through July 31st.
A Couple of Ways to Support Columbia Community Care
At Christ Church, our Racially Aware Group of Episcopalians (R.A.G.E) and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to support Columbia Community Care (CCC). One way is to pre-order a Father’s Day meal for takeout at Bonheur Deli, which has pledged to benefit CCC by donating a meal for every pre-order from its special menu (choice of meals for two featuring crab cakes, steak or shrimp). Listed on Facebook as Bonheur Deli, the restaurant is located at 7106 Minstrel Way, Columbia, MD, 21045. Pre-orders must be phoned in at 410-290-7755 by 8 p.m. this Friday, June 18th, or sent by text to 443-538-8229 by 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 19th. Orders may be picked up from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 20th.
Another one-time opportunity to support CCC is to continue collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items as well as adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin marked “CCC” inside the Parish Hall door. You can drop off items on weekdays until 2 p.m., but please call the church office (410) 381-9365 ahead of time.
Donate Toiletries, Cleaning Supplies for FISH in its Yellow Bin
Organizers for FISH of Howard County request household cleaning supplies such as liquid dish soap, bleach, and cleanser. Also, the families who call on FISH during times of crisis could use personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, and bath soaps. At the present time, the pantry has an adequate supply of groceries.
SEAFARER’S Donation Requests
We could use your help in gathering the following items. Delivery is made and the date announced when the number of collections gets reasonably accumulated. Contact Carolann Sawyer with any questions.
Bible in modern English (or Tagalog, Russian, or Chinese)
Times/Newsweek/etc. up to 3 months old
Sports Ill/People/etc. up to 6 months
Cars/Computers/Consumers up to 1 year
Reader’s Digest up to a couple of years
National Geographics 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 CDs.
Religious books (in easy English), DVDs, CDs; rosaries.
Clothing - men’s jeans, other sturdy pants (no bigger than XL) or shorts, T-shirts, warm outerwear, and non-skid shoes/boots (in good condition only), and gloves, hats, scarves, and warm socks
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.