Christ Church Outreach News: April 30, 2026
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
A Streamlined Plan For Volunteers at Our Spring Food Drive on Saturday, May 16, 10 AM to 2 PM, at River Hill Giant to Help Two Food Pantries
You can be a part of one of the most rewarding ways to help feed the hungry. Please sign up for a shift during the Spring Food Drive on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at River Hill Giant Food, 6050 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, Md., 21029.
It’s a hands-on, family-friendly activity that occurs twice a year, in spring and fall. Look for a signup sheet in the Narthex or in Old Brick, starting on Sunday. Please volunteer for a one-hour shift. To learn more, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Once again, Christ Church is adapting to corporate rules that limit the number of volunteers on the supermarket premises. In response to a request from the management of Giant Foods, we must streamline how we conduct our traditional drive. The policy will limit us at any one time to four volunteers, of whom two will be interacting with Giant customers. For information, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Walk-in volunteers will be encouraged to do their part by taking a shopping list and purchasing some of the pantries’ requested items. Groceries collected at the supermarket will go to two food pantries. One is the Howard County Food Bank, which is operated by the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC). The other is SAFE, its partner pantry that provides free gluten-free and allergy-safe foods to low-income families and individuals.
At our Fall Food Drive held at a Giant supermarket in Dorsey’s Search, we collected 1,776 pounds for the food bank and 307 pounds for SAFE. That combined total of 2,083 pounds amounts to more than a ton of food and staples!
During the drives, the experience provides hands-on service not only to our volunteers but also to shoppers we approach with a list of requested items. Most importantly, access to food and necessities is a lifeline for people struggling to make ends meet in Howard County.
Prepare for Mother’s Day by Buying DreamBuilders Goods This Sunday, May 3, as Christ Church Takes Steps to Support a June Trip to Kentucky
Look for fair-trade coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolates being sold to benefit DreamBuilders just in time for Mother’s Day, a week later. The goods will be available after all three worship services on Sunday, May 3.
It’s all for a good cause as a team of youth and adults get ready to rebuild after devastating floods in Hazard, Ky. One youth from Christ Church will be traveling June 21-17 on what will be the group’s fourth trip in a row to build homes there. At its April meeting, the Outreach Commission approved spending $750 to subsidize the youth’s trip. These are Vestry-approved funds derived from your pledges and contributions. Thank you!
‘The Source’ Project Calls Attention to the Work of Columbia Community Care
WMAR-TV aired a report on operations of Columbia Community Care (CCC) as the nonprofit organization looks forward to eventually moving its headquarters to The Source, a community center facilitated by Howard County to expand opportunities for young people.
CCC Pantry Director April Lee was interviewed for WMAR2 News Baltimore’s report, posted online on March 28, 2026. You can also find information on CCC’s Facebook page under the title, “Leaders in Howard County break ground on new community center called ‘The Source.’
The location at 10750 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Md. 21045 is the former site of the Columbia Flier building, which Howard County acquired in 2014 and that CCC briefly utilized as a pantry and headquarters prior to its demolition.
CCC promotes youth programs, including STAND and PUSH, that will use space at The Source to provide services such as tutoring. The community center is expected to house a gymnasium, wellness programs, mental and physical healthcare services, and childcare.
Mark Your Calendars! DreamBuilders Fundraiser at Bushel and a Peck - May 13
DreamBuilders will host their Spring fundraising event at Bushel and a Peck - 12250 Clarksville Pike in Clarkesville. It takes place on Wednesday, May 13th and you can reserve your seats for happy hour and dinner on their website. Then, join us from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. that evening as we help raise funds to build three homes in Hazard, Kentucky. When you make your reservation, please put a note that you are there for the DB event. You can also call B&aP at 410.531.1809 to reserve space.
Bring Items for FISH/CCC, and Consider Volunteering to Take Calls from Home
FISH and Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered last year and merged pantries. CCC continues to hand out food at three sites on Saturday mornings and by home delivery to Howard County residents. For information, visit Get Help online. For updates on community services such as youth programs, check CCC’s Facebook page.
FISH continues to pick up donated goods from Christ Church and others. Please put non-perishable food and personal care products in the altar basket or in a bin just inside the Parish Hall. Look for a combo label “FISH/CCC”. Please bring baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes.
FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents, offering guidance and financial assistance because the personal touch is very important when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong (seen in this photo) or email him at andydelong.fish@gmail.com.
You could be the one to lend a helping hand by lending an ear! As a phone volunteer, you can help from your home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. Thank you!
SAVE THE DATE! June 7 is the Next Annual Matzohball 5K Run
Join in the 22nd Annual Matzohball Run, organized by DreamBuilders member congregation Temple Isaiah on Sunday, June 7th, starting at 8:00 a.m. at Western Regional Park in Woodbine.
The proceeds benefit DreamBuilders, Grassroots, HopeWorks, and others to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable communities in need of support. Christ Church supports all of these organizations, so your help directly assists these groups.
If you would like more information, please speak with Cathy Gold at church.
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.
