Christ Church Outreach News: June 23, 2022
Lake Elkhorn Middle School Supplies
Our parish has had a partnership with Lake Elkhorn Middle School (LEMS) for over five years. Just over a mile away, LEMS is truly our neighboring school and at Christ Episcopal Church we believe that we should love our neighbors. We have this partnership because many LEMS families are financially stressed. Over 50% of LEMS students qualify for free and reduced meals, the highest percentage amongst the middle schools in Howard County. Last year we supplied school supplies for students and also gave each staff member a bright blue school shirt. In prior years we supplied families who needed assistance with bags of food on Fridays that lasted through the weekend.
This year, Melissa Shindel, the principal at LEMS, has asked for the support of Christ Church parishioners to provide school supplies for 125 children for the upcoming school year. It costs about $50 to buy the school-required supplies for just one child so we need over $6,000 to reach this goal. The school will distribute the supplies the week of Aug 22nd, so we are requesting your generous financial support now to reach this important goal. We also will need your help delivering the supplies that week, so let us know if you might be able to help.
Contributions can be made in several ways:
If you’d like to write a check, please make sure you write “LEMS school supplies” on the memo line, drop it off at the church office, or mail it in.
For giving online via computer/tablet, you'll find our "Support Christ Church" button at the top of every page of our website, or you can click here. On the secure form, choose "LEMS" from the FUND drop-down menu and write "school supplies" on the MEMO line.
To give via text, simply text CECGIVING to 73256 using your mobile device, and you'll immediately receive a link to our secure form. Click the link, choose "LEMS" from the FUND drop-down menu, and write "School Supplies" on the MEMO line so that your donation is used as you wish. (Note: This number will never send you unsolicited texts. To cancel further messages, text STOP. If you need assistance with text giving, text HELP. Standard text message and data rates may apply).
If you have questions about our LEMS partnership or would like to help, please contact Cathy Whittaker at catharinewhittaker@gmail.com.
Columbia Community Care Seeks Volunteers for Pantry, Transport to Sites
The all-volunteer organization, Columbia Community Care (CCC), is recruiting volunteers to help sort items at its pantry and to transport produce from a Rt. 108 farm to the pantry.
The sorting takes place at the CCC pantry building, 10750 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Volunteers can set their own schedules within broad parameters. For example, the times are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the two weekdays and between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Please use CCC’s online volunteer signup for the panrty to state when you’ll work on a particular day.
For questions, please email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org to get in contact with Outreach Commission member Melanie Yaksich. She and her husband Nick Yaksich recently took a sorting shift along with other CCC volunteers (see photos).
CCC also is recruiting volunteers to pick up produce at Clark’s Elioak Farm, 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, Md. 21042 on Thursday afternoons, to store it overnight, and then transport it to the pantry during sorting hours on Fridays or before 9 a.m. on Saturdays. For details, go to CCC’s online volunteer signup for produce pickup.
Of course, CCC is always eager for new volunteers on Saturday mornings at its three sites, including the recently relocated Oakland Mills distribution site (see photos). Groceries and produce are distributed at Oakland Mills Middle School (OMMS), 9540 Kilimanjaro Road; Long Reach Village Center, Suite 9, 8775 Cloudleap Ct.; and Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd., all in Columbia.
Recipients are welcomed from 10 a.m. to noon, and one volunteer slot at each location is for a translator. Other roles are listed as set up, sorter, and greeter. The shifts last from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Signups are posted through the end of the year according to site: Long Reach, Wilde Lake, and Oakland Mills. You’ll find updates, such as tasks needed at specific locations, on the CCC Facebook Group. As a hint of the camaraderie that develops among workers, you’re just as likely to find birthday greetings and shout-outs to long-term volunteers.
Please lift up your prayers for the volunteers who do their best to help those in need.
At Christ Church, Violet Smith is our representative and is responsible for taking parishioners’ donated items to a CCC site for distribution on Saturdays. Members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask everyone to continue supporting CCC by collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers. Please put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall.
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 its 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.
