Christ Church Outreach News: January 22, 2026
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Food Truck Event on Jan. 31 Will Support Hurricane Relief in Jamaica
The charitable arm of Althea’s Almost Famous food truck and catering company has partnered with Howard County government to host a drive for hurricane relief during a food truck event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31. The location is outside the Howard County building at 9755 Patuxent Woods Dr., Columbia, MD 21044.
Participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products. These will be sent to communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the Caribbean in late October. A post by Althea Hanson, the caterer’s proprietor, was shared by leaders of Columbia Community Care (CCC) on CCC’s Facebook page:
“After the recent hurricane, families in Jamaica lost homes, food and basic necessities. Many are still experiencing an incredibly hard time – emotionally, financially, and physically. Recovery is ongoing, and the need is still real," she said.
Christ Church, through the Outreach Commission, donated a total of $700 for hurricane relief in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, as described in the Outreach Blog of Dec. 11, 2025.
Free Bikes 4 Kidz Brightens the Holidays, Gets Ready for Work in 2026
For those who donated used bikes last fall to Free Bikes 4 Kidz Maryland (FB4K), please rest assured that the wheels went to a good home. The Howard County-based nonprofit posted its 2025 results on its Facebook page on Dec. 21:
“All done. Over the last two weeks, we gave away 3,063 bicycles to local children and nonprofit organizations, bringing this year's total to 3,278 and our seven-year total to 15,359. That's a lot of children who can now ride into a happier, healthier, more independent life! Massive thanks to over 700 volunteers and our corporate sponsors who made this all possible.”
FBRK calls on the faith community and others to help its organizers gather, refurbish, and give away bikes to families who cannot afford to buy new ones. Many children saw Christmas wishes come true at FB4K's distribution day on Dec. 13 (see photos). The remaining 1,600 bikes next went to more than 20 Maryland organizations, including CCC, for their own giveaway days.
Starting in the Spring, FB4K recruits volunteers, including students who can earn community service hours. Go online to learn more or to sign up. If you have a used bike to donate, please label it for FB4K and take it to the reusable bike shed at the Howard County Alpha Ridge Residents’ Convenience Center on Marriottsville Road.
In 2024, volunteers put in more than 6,000 hours of service and FB4K gave away 3,345 bikes, according to an article, “Free Bikes for Kidz Breaks Down Barriers to a Childhood Rite of Passage.” It was published Sept. 17, 2025, in Business Monthly, whose publisher is Christ Church parishioner Jason Whong.
Previously, FB4K honored requests by Christ Church. In 2023, an adult bike went to an Afghan refugee family supported by the Interfaith Refugee Ministry. In 2022, another went to St. Luke’s Youth Center (SLYC) for a college-bound youth as described in the Outreach Blog of Sept. 22, 2022.
CCC and FISH Need Diapers and Non-Perishables for Their Shared Pantry
FISH and Columbia Community Care partnered last year and merged their pantries. CCC continues to hand out food at three sites on Saturday mornings and by home delivery to Howard County residents. For information, go online to Get Help. CCC also offers activities for young people.
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. You could be the one to lend a helping hand by lending an ear!
FISH of Howard County needs phone volunteers. You can help from home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from FISH's financial assistance. Training is provided. For more information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email him at andydelong.fish@gmail.com. Thank you always for your support.
LEMS is Busy with More Pop-Up Pantries and A Night of Excellence
Yesterday, January 21, we helped with another Pop-Up Pantry at LEMS. Jenny Cecil, Jan DeBoissiere, Sara Kirkpatrick, and Cathy Whittaker helped share nearly 70 boxes/bags of fresh, protein-rich foods from the Roving Radish with the community. In addition, Mount Pisgah AME Church contributed hats, mittens, and scarves, so almost every bag contained one of those items.
Some families said their children needed coats, so the staff were able to find ones that were the appropriate size. Some of those coats were those that you purchased. It was a cold day yesterday, so people were particularly appreciative when they received a winter coat. Looks like they'll be needed for weeks to come.
Cathy spoke with the Program Manager at the Judith Center, which runs the Kindness Pantry, to see whether the nonperishables we provide monthly were being used. She assured us that the food and household items were being distributed regularly and were very much appreciated.
On Friday, January 30th, from 5:30 to 7:30, Christ Episcopal Church is invited to attend A Night of Excellence, which will honor student scholars with outstanding National History Day projects and other research projects connected to the Gifted and Talented Program. Some of our vestry members will attend and share information about our church programs, and you, too, would be more than welcome to attend. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:00. See the details and contact info in the attached image.
The next Kindness Pantry is on February 18, so we will need contributions by Sunday, February 15. There will be a SignUpGenius link at the end of this month. Thank you so much for sharing your love in our community!
DreamBuilders - Upcoming Save-the-Dates
February 8th, 2:00 p.m. at Temple Isaiah - DreamBuilders General Meeting · Come hear about our plans for the year, and how you can get involved. We’ll have descriptions of upcoming trips and local projects, too. There will be lots of pictures of projects past and lots of people who can answer any questions.
March 14th, 5 - 8 p.m. at Temple Isaiah - DreamBuilders Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction · Come enjoy a spaghetti dinner and bid on a wide and wonderful variety of items and activities, all in support of DreamBuilders. This is our largest fundraising event of the year. Proceeds help make our building projects possible. We will need lots of help to make this event a success, and we will be looking for donations for the auction, too.
Help the MOCC Impact the Foster Care Community, and Meet the Founder of Comfort Cases
No doubt you've seen the display in the narthex of the MOCC's ongoing R.A.K. (Random Act of Kindness) in support of Comfort Cases. In February, you'll be able to meet and speak with Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer. Rob will share details about Comfort Cases with our congregation during the 10:30 service on Sunday, February 8th.
In the meantime, we invite you to learn about Rob's powerful story and learn how we can make an impact here in Howard County. In our country today, the number of kids entering the foster care system is steadily rising, and that's where Comfort Cases come in - they're a small duffel bag or backpack filled with items designed to provide a bit of comfort for youth as they enter their local foster care system. Every donation aims to provide comfort to those who are experiencing this firsthand.
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.
