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CEC Outreach News: May 13, 2021


Bridges’ “Taste of Wine, Splash of Charity” to be held on June 10th

Supporters of Bridges to Housing Stability are invited to a dine-in dinner and wine tasting accompanied by a fundraiser or, for those who wish to avoid in-person outings, a takeout opportunity. Tickets must be ordered by June 6th for the event, which will be held at the Iron Bridge Wine Co. on June 10th.

The goal of the nonprofit organization is to prevent and end homelessness in Howard County. Each ticket purchased, whether for takeout or in-person dining, results in a $20 contribution to Bridges’ efforts. The cost is $85 for the 5-course dinner and wine tasting or $70 for a three-course take-out meal and bottle of wine. To learn more about the event and buy tickets, go here.

Those who attend in person will be able to take part in a silent auction to be displayed at Iron Bridge. The auction is expected to include six to eight baskets of leisure activities, vacation packages, wine, and more. Iron Bridge is located at 10435 Rt. 108, Columbia, MD 21044.

Several parishioners participated in a recent Bridges fundraiser and celebration of its “Heroes for Housing,” a virtual program that also featured a Howard County resident who is among the Bridges’ success stories. Nadia introduced herself as a grateful, single mother of four daughters. She said, “I got behind in my rent due to being laid off from my job due to COVID-19 and then getting very sick with COVID-19 and pneumonia along with my all kids. I would not have been able to catch up with my rent, and I would have been homeless with my four kids. But thanks to Bridges, I received a fresh start with my rent. My deepest gratitude and appreciation from the depths of our hearts.”

Christ Church has a warm relationship with Bridges that dates to 2019 when we participated in its countywide chili cook-off, Holier Than Thou. Parishioner James Collins, a Bridges board member, was the master of ceremonies. That fundraising and camaraderie were surpassed during our own cook-off in February 2020, which raised $1,000. And that, in turn, led to Christ Church winning a Silver Ladle Award during the Chili & Challenge virtual fundraiser last fall.


Join Us Monday, May 17th to Help Feed the Hungry at Grassroots

It will soon be the third Monday of the month and parishioners are looking forward to hands-on volunteerism. Please consider preparing a side dish or dessert for the monthly meal that we provide for 50 residents of Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center‘s live-in facility. You can also bring sealed pantry items such as granola bars.

On Monday, May 17th, please plan to arrive between 3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. outside Old Brick. Also please sign up online no later than noon on Sunday, May 16th so coordinators will know what you plan to bring. Click on the Christ Church Grassroots Meal link on SignUpGenius to learn which items are still open on our menu. We welcome additional participants — and the resulting side dishes, desserts, and fruits — to complement our main course.

The drop-off continues to be outdoors. Co-coordinator Nancy Winchester acquires fried chicken at Weis and meets the other volunteers as they enter the Christ Church parking lot (see photos in our April 23rd blog post). Nancy then transports the food to Freetown Road for handoff to the staff of Grassroots.

Save the date for the subsequent meal, which will be on June 21st. The time and place remain the same, and please arrive no later than 3:30 p.m. because the departure for Grassroots is prompt. You’ll find lots of information at the sign-up link, but for 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. Here is a link to the sign-up list which currently has available openings through June 30th. It’s your choice to provide an entree and side dishes, or just the entree. You can 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.


Grassroots Offers Training in May in QPR Skills to Help Prevent Suicides

Once again, Grassroots offers Howard County residents, employees, or students a chance to learn skills that could help save a life from suicide. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save lives, just as individuals trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver learn what to do. Thanks to the Horizon Foundation, the online seminar is free for adults on one remaining day this month: Monday, May 17th from 7:30 to 9 p.m. To register, go here, and to learn more, email amanda@grassrootscrisis.org to speak with Amanda Ganoe, the organizer.


Collection Drive Continues to Provide Diapers, Personal Care Items for CCC

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). So far we have been collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items and we’re now passing along a request for a few adult diapers such as Depends. Please put any of these items 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 at (410) 381-9365 ahead of time.


Donate Spring 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.


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