Christ Church Outreach News: June 8, 2023
Inviting You to Remotely Join Us this Monday, June 12, at the Monthly Outreach Meeting
Why not welcome summer by dedicating more time to helping others? Learn several ways to do that by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope. Email us at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org for the Zoom details.
Wish "Dr. G" a Happy Retirement at the DRC on Sunday, June 11; Return the Next Day to Serve DRC’s Meal or Drop Off Items for Grassroots’ Menu
Leaders of the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center have invited the Christ Church monthly meals team and fellow parishioners who support Grassroots to help bid farewell to Dr. Joseph Gagliardi. Known as “Dr. G,” the volunteer physician is retiring after years of providing free medical care at the Day Resource Center (DRC). A reception will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, at the DRC, 10390 Guilford Rd. Jessup, MD 20794.
The DRC offers multiple services to homeless men, women, and, occasionally, their children on the first floor of the Leola Dorsey Community Resource Center. Besides a hot meal, these services include access to laundry facilities, computers, and a pantry that stocks clothing and essentials such as sunscreen.
DRC’s free medical clinic, which “Dr. G” had staffed along with volunteer nurses, closed as of May 31 and is expected to reopen elsewhere after Grassroots adopts a new format.
“Dr. G” has expressed deep gratitude to Christ Church for supplying his medicine cabinet over the years. For example, Outreach member Dione Mahoney and her husband, Jim, have routinely handled the clinic’s shopping lists and delivered over-the-counter allergy pills, acetaminophen, vitamins, oral health items, and more.
So far in 2023, the Outreach Commission approved spending $795 for medical supplies and nutritional supplements requested by “Dr. G.” These expenses were covered by parishioners donating to Christ Church for General Outreach purposes.
In 2022 and in previous years, the Outreach Commission also sent funds, drawn from parishioners’ donations to Christ Church, for so-called “respite care.” When “Dr. G'' treated homeless patients who were hospitalized, they could recuperate in a motel rather than being released to the streets, a tent, or their vehicles. Hearty thanks go out to you from “Dr. G” (See photo with Christ Church volunteers.)
Meanwhile, get ready to help feed the hungry at the DRC or at Grassroots’ Live-in Facility on Monday, June 12. Please sign up by Sunday, June 11. If you wish to volunteer or bring food for the midday meal, 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 are gathering at that time to carpool to Jessup.
Later, parishioners cook or shop for the evening meal for 50 residents of a live-in center on Freetown Rd. make a different drop-off. Please arrive in the Old Brick parking lot between 3:15 and 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 May 8th. 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 online, under the words “Related Files,” on each signup form.
Columbia Community Care Announces Summer Changes
Starting on Saturday, June 10, Columbia Community Care (CCC) will relocate its Oakland Mills distribution site to Oakland Mills Middle School, 9540 Kilimanjaro Rd., for the remainder of the summer. Also on Saturday, June 10, CCC will close its site – for that day only – at Long Reach Village Center, Suite 9, 8775 Cloudleap Court. Distribution will take place as usual at Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd.
Please continue supporting CCC with your time and talent. Look for updates, such as requests for volunteers, posted in the CCC Facebook Group or on the “I Can Help” portion of its website. Please keep collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers. Put items in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. Drop off items on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sunday. Our point of contact is Leigh Smith, who delivers the contents of the bin.
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 back in its spot 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.
