Christ Church Outreach News: November 13, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- Nov 13
- 5 min read
Setting Our Own Record, Volunteers Collected More Than One Ton of Goods During the Christ Church Fall Food Drive
Christ Church volunteers succeeded during our Fall Food Drive this past Saturday, November 8, in collecting items for the Howard County Food Bank and its partner pantry, SAFE.
The collection filled the Knox family’s truck to the brim (see photos) and amounted to 1,776 pounds at weigh-in. SAFE reported its portion of gluten-free goods weighed 307, giving us a total of 2,083 pounds. Since a ton weighs 2,000 pounds, that means we raised over one ton of donated food and goods, which is the most we've ever collected when compared to our eight previous drives, which began in 2018, with a hiatus during the pandemic. Incredible!
Working in shifts outside Dorsey’s Search Giant supermarket, some volunteers packed non-perishables while others approached dozens of shoppers, many of whom said they were eager to help struggling neighbors during the government shutdown. People bought items listed on our handouts, and others gave us cash and checks.
We raised $425, including some donations by parishioners, for the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC), which operates the food bank. “Amazing!” responded a representative of CAC, who came to the loading dock as quantities of items were weighed, ranging from canned soups and vegetables to huge boxes of diapers. CAC thanks Christ Church for its partnership, especially during a time of great community needs due to the interruption of food-stamp benefits known as SNAP.
SAFE leaders wrote: “These donations will make a difference to the many clients we serve. Please convey our appreciation to all…congregants who participated in the food drive on our behalf.” SAFE praised the “variety and quality” of goods that Sonni Aribiah delivered in seven containers, including 42 boxes of cereal and 43 pounds of tuna.
Parishioners did their part beforehand or afterward, while others joined Father Manny and members of the Vestry and Outreach Commission volunteering on Saturday afternoon in Ellicott City – all doing God’s work. Thanks to each and every helping hand!
Please Pitch In! Bring Holiday Sides and Year-Round Staples by Thursday, Nov. 20 for our Thanksgiving Drive for the Howard County Food Bank
Please make Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays special for those who find themselves depending on the Howard County Food Bank to feed their families. The staff of the food bank provides the makings of festive meals for 1,000 people for Thanksgiving and another 1,000 by Christmas and expects greater demand this year.
Christ Church contributes to this effort through our traditional collection of non-perishables prior to Thanksgiving and by sending funds to CAC. The Outreach Commission approved a donation of $1,000, which goes in part to broaden options beyond a whole turkey. Shoppers may prefer a hen, turkey breast, or plant-based proteins.
Complete the menu by bringing boxed mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, gravy, cranberry sauce, olives, pickles, and canned fruits and vegetables. Because household pantries may be bare, please add staples such as bags of rice, tuna, soups, pasta and sauce, peanut butter, and spices. Put items in the marked boxes in New Brick or on the Parish Hall breezeway in a bin labeled “Thanksgiving Food Drive". NOTE: No pies, other desserts, or rolls due to perishability. Deadline: Next Thursday, Nov. 20.
Shop at the Cedar Lane School’s Holiday Bazaar this Saturday, November 15
Interested in handmade crafts or bargains? Considering picking up some "Thank You" gifts for your mail carrier or teacher? Then shop the Holiday Bazaar & Indoor Yard Sale presented by the Cedar Lane School PTA this Saturday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Christ Church parishioner Amanda Cheong is the organizer of this fundraising event, which the Cedar Lane School's PTA hosts to benefit students with special needs. The event also includes door prizes, kids’ activities, and a quilt raffle, and if you do attend, please bring some canned goods to support their food drive. For more information, you can view their Facebook link, then head to 11630 Scaggsville Road in Fulton this Saturday.
Baltimore Seafarers' Christmas at Sea
From now through next Sunday, November 23rd, the WOCC encourages you to consider donating items that will help the hard-working members of Baltimore International Seafarers' Center to stay warm and feel appreciated during this holiday season. Whether it's brightly-colored winter hats (no pom-poms), cold-weather gloves (no fringes or tassels), hand-warmers, handmade or store-bought cookies (a HUGE favorite; place the cookies in one-gallon-sized, zipper-lock storage bags), or any of the other items listed at www.BaltSeafarers.org/Christmas, everything helps these hard-working Seafarers have a safer and warmer Christmas.
The Seafarers' Center is a nonprofit organization serving seafarers who call on the Port of Baltimore from all over the world and the port community as a whole. Their mission is to facilitate the well-being of crew members by offering transportation ashore, advocacy for their rights as seafarers and human beings, and hospitality while docked in Baltimore.
Please bring your gifts to Christ Church and drop them off in the Tower Room's Seafarers box, located near the Outreach table, by November 23. The WOCC will then deliver these generous gifts to the Baltimore International Seafarers Center on November 24th. Thank you.
We Still Need a Few Small Items for the LEMS Kindness Pantry
We still need the following few items for this month's Kindness Pantry, so please visit CECevents.org/LEMS-Kindness to provide:
Boxes of cereal
Bags or boxes of white rice
Granola bars
Paper Towels
All donations must be brought to the Narthex of New Brick by this Sunday, November 16, and placed in the blue bin. If you have any questions, please contact us at LEMS@ChristChurchColumbia.org. Thanks for helping!
MOCC's Random Act of Kindness
The MOCC's current R.A.K. (Random Act of Kindness) is supporting Comfort Cases, and they can use your donations and assistance. A Comfort Case is a small duffel bag or backpack designed to provide comfort for youth as they enter the local foster care system.
In today's world, the number of kids entering the foster care system is rising, and so anything that can be done to help provide a level of comfort and care for the youngest is welcome. The MOCC is accepting donations from now through January 10th, and you can find details and a donation bin in the Narthex. You can also speak with Duane Smith, Ed Chrzanowski, or any other MOCC member to get more information about Comfort Cases or upcoming MOCC gatherings.
FISH and CCC Have Combined Pantries, and FISH Needs Phone Volunteers
FISH and Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered earlier this year and merged their food pantries. CCC continues its distributions at three sites on Saturday mornings and by home delivery to Howard County residents. For information, go online to Get Help or look for updates on CCC’s Facebook page. 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 keep bringing baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes.
FISH will continue to provide guidance and financial support by telephone because the personal touch is very important in times of crisis. Consider volunteering from home by dedicating just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from FISH's financial assistance. Training is provided. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong or email andydelong.fish@gmail.com. Thanks for your 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.
