Christ Church Outreach News: April 6, 2023
Inviting You to Remotely Join Us on Monday, April 10th, at the Monthly Outreach Meeting
Having experienced the renewal of Easter, please consider becoming more involved in helping others by participating in Outreach at Christ Church. Why not start by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission’s 7:30 p.m. meeting on Monday, April 10th? You can help to fulfill our mission, which has a local, national, and international scope. Email us for the Zoom details, and we'll see you there!
Help Feed the Hungry on April 10th, In Person or by Dropping Off Menu Items
Leaders of the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center appreciate how Christ Church parishioners step up for our homeless neighbors on the second Monday of each month. To join us on April 10th, please sign up by Sunday, April 9.
If you wish to volunteer or bring food for the Day Resource Center (DRC) at the Dorsey Center, our DRC online signup form describes the procedure. The drop-off time for side dishes, desserts, and fruit is 12:45 p.m. in the Christ Church parking lot near Old Brick. In-person volunteers also gather at that time to carpool to Jessup.
Parishioners who cook or shop for the evening meal for 50 residents of a live-in center on Freetown Rd. make their drop-off later, arriving in the parking lot at 3:15 p.m. A volunteer transporting the food departs at 3:30 p.m. Get details in our Grassroots online signup form or, for more information, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
We most recently took part on March 13 (see above photo). Shahra Toth, with the continuing assistance of Dione Mahoney, is the coordinator. Grassroots operates both facilities, and it’s efficient to provide for groups at two separate venues on the same day. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried chicken entrees. Thank you!
The DRC and the Live-In Facility have wider needs for their pantries and welcome in-kind donations to be dropped off for delivery on the second Mondays. Look for the latest needs list under the words “Related Files” on each of the signup sites online.
Mark Your Calendars: April 22 from 12-4 p.m., Christ Church Food Drive at River Hill Giant Supermarket to Help Howard County Food Bank, SAFE Food Pantry
Once again, Christ Church will hold a food drive at a local Giant supermarket, resuming a hands-on, family-friendly activity that had been halted by the pandemic. Here’s how you can help. Consider taking a shift of at least one hour. Bring your kids, too. We could also use your help in planning this popular activity that helps the hungry. Participants will get a Christ Church T-shirt while supplies last.
The place: River Hill Giant, 6050 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, MD 21029. The time: Noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. The goal: engage shoppers in collecting hundreds of pounds of non-perishable groceries for the Howard County Food Bank and – new this year – for its partner, SAFE Food Pantry. Outreach member, Michon Semon, is leading the drive but we need volunteers –to plan, participate, and deliver our anticipated haul to the food bank, which is operated by the Community Action Council of Howard County. For information or to get involved, please email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
The need is great due to the end of federal emergency food assistance tied to the pandemic and to inflation. Low-income households struggle to afford the cost of groceries, up 11.3 percent. People who are on medically restricted diets are especially challenged. In Howard County, SAFE provides free gluten-free and allergy-safe foods.
Walk or Run to Benefit Columbia Community Care on April 22
On Saturday, April 22, Columbia Community Care (CCC) will hold a Spring Fun Run/Walk starting at 9 a.m. with a kickoff party at the former Columbia Flier building, 10750 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia. Please bring a non-perishable item to donate.
The start time for competitors is 10 a.m. Advance registration costs $20 or $10 for children ages 12 and under. Same-day registration for adults is $25. Registration is preferred by April 15th. To register, go online to CCC events. Information also can be found on the CCC Group on Facebook.
All registered participants will get discount cards to Feet First Sports, located at 5305 Village Center Dr., Suite 110, in Wilde Lake Center. The course ends at the center, where the Wilde Lake Village will hold a village board election party.
At Christ Church, Leigh Smith is our representative who takes parishioners’ donated items to CCC. Please continue your support by collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sunday.
Annual Harbor Cruise with the Baltimore International Seafarers' Center
Come to Baltimore Finger Piers (555 Light St.) on April 26th at 4:45 p.m. for the Annual Harbor Tour fundraiser to support ministry at the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center. Enjoy food and beverage provided by Yes Chef! while exploring the working Port of Baltimore from the water. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available, and you can purchase them here. The deadline for ordering tickets, which cost $65 each, is Saturday, April 15th.
Donate Snacks, Crackers, and Cookies to FISH in Bin on our Breezeway
Organizers for FISH of Howard County are continuing to ask for cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill their shopping lists. The yellow bin is between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. Thanks for your contributions to our neighbors in need.
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.
