Christ Church Outreach News: May 22, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- May 22
- 4 min read
Community Action Council Turns 60; Gets Funds to Help People in Need
In response to community needs, the Outreach Commission at its May meeting approved sending $500 to the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC). The latest in a series of donations for various services will go toward eviction prevention. These are Vestry-approved funds derived from parishioners’ pledges and contributions. Thank you for helping others when they need it most!
The recent donation came in the same month that the nonprofit organization marked its 60th birthday with a celebration held on Tuesday, May 20. “Born from the War on Poverty in the early 1960s, CAC was founded on the promise that all families deserve the opportunity to thrive,” states the program for the event. A message from Christ Church was displayed in the program and projected on screens at the venue, Reckless Shepherd Brewing Co.
The CAC is Howard County’s designated anti-poverty organization and provides multiple services as described in its 2024 Impact Report. County Executive Calvin Ball spoke at the event along with CAC President Tracy Broccolino, who thanked supporters, including Christ Church.
We were represented by Deacon Kiona Lookingbill, Christ Church's Director of Youth and Family Ministries; Patricia Fanning, Chair of the CEC Outreach Commission, and Phil Bray and Joe Bray, volunteers at the recent Spring Food Drive, who provided the truck and helped deliver the food to CAC’s Howard County Food Bank. Seminarian Mike Looney and Anne Looney also attended, and we want to thank each of you for being there for Christ Church!
Christ Church has been holding food drives at Giant supermarkets since 2018; you can read about the most recent effort in the Outreach Blog of April 9, 2025. In the fall, we collected Thanksgiving sides and donated $750 for protein components of CAC’s holiday meal kits, as described in the Outreach Blog of Oct. 31, 2024.
Besides food and housing aid, CAC programs provide weatherization, help with utility bills, and early childhood education through Head Start and pre-K locations for low-income families.
DreamBuilders Spring Fundraiser and 50/50 Raffle - May 28
Come out and support DreamBuilders’ summer mission and projects by gathering for a mid-week happy hour/dinner evening at the Bushel & A Peck Restaurant, 12250 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD. Stop by any time between 4 and 9 p.m. that Wednesday evening, May 28th, and Bushel & A Peck will be giving DreamBuilders a percentage of all sales of food and drink.
We will also have a 50/50 cash raffle that evening, and you can buy raffle tickets at the restaurant or in advance through Cathy Gold (see her at church or email heycathy@verizon.net). You don’t have to be present to win. DreamBuilders merchandise will also be on sale at the restaurant, so if you haven't got your DreamBuilders T-Shirt yet, come on down and get one! Reservations are not needed, but are welcome, especially for large parties.
FISH Asks for Volunteers As Well as Groceries and Toiletries in its Bin and Basket
FISH of Howard County is calling for volunteers. If you are interested, ask parishioner Andy DeLong, who is FISH treasurer and a board member of the nonprofit, which provides committed support to Howard County residents. Please continue to put non-perishable foods and toiletries in the FISH basket at the altar or in the bin on the breezeway. The neighbors you help are grateful for all you do in their support.
Columbia Community Care Takes a Break on Memorial Day Weekend
Columbia Community Care (CCC) will close its pantry and distribution sites this Saturday, May 24, for the Memorial Day weekend. But you can still donate baby-care items and diapers. Sizes 5-6 are in the greatest demand. Please collect these along with sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. Drop off items on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sundays. The Christ Church point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bin and delivers its contents.
CCC offers home deliveries to those without transportation. That process requires a shopper to fulfill grocery lists at the pantry and then deliver goods to the recipients’ homes. To volunteer at the sites or as a translator or shopper, go to “Volunteer Opportunities.” Those who need help are urged to go to “Get Help” on CCC’s website. Find updates on the CCC Facebook page.
Oakland Mills Middle School Academic Fundraiser
OMMS celebrates students who have worked hard during the 2024-2025 school year. Those who earned all A’s for the year are treated to a trip to a Baltimore Orioles baseball game at Camden Yards. This year, the MOCC's spring "Random Act of Kindness" is spearheading a fund-collecting drive to help sponsor this event, and you are invited to contribute to this worthy cause.
You can donate through the MOCC fund in Realm (write "RAK Orioles" in the MEMO line) or write a check to Christ Church (write "RAK Orioles" in the memo line). Either way, we appreciate your generous support!
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.
