Christ Church Outreach News: November 23, 2022
What a Haul! Thanks for Donating 462 Pounds of Thanksgiving Side Dishes for Distribution by the Howard County Food Bank
Many Howard County households will be enjoying nutritious and festive Thanksgiving dinners, thanks to the generosity of Christ Church parishioners. We collected 462 pounds of goods such as stuffing mix, gravy, and canned fruits and vegetables. Thanks to each and every participant!
With your help, the Howard County Food Bank expects to feed about 1,000 people for Thanksgiving and another 1,000 for Christmas by distributing "Holiday Meal Kits." Christ Church partners with the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC), which operates the food bank. We further supported CAC with a monetary donation to make sure the type and amount of protein in its meal kits will match the nutritional needs of each household.
On Nov. 18, Outreach Commission member Dione Mahoney and her husband, Jim, loaded and delivered the food, which included some pantry staples at CAC’s request. Our thanks go out to the Mahoneys!
Angel Tree Drive Continues to Fulfill Christmas Wishes of a Dozen Children
We’ve launched our annual effort to brighten Christmas for 12 children ages 10-to-12 to meet a need identified by the Howard County (Central Maryland) division of The Salvation Army. The nonprofit organization oversees the Angel Tree initiative here and elsewhere.
The Outreach Commission invites you to purchase new clothing and other wished-for items to complete Christmas gift “packages” for young angels. Each girl or boy on our list will receive an outfit, consisting of pants and a top. Besides the clothing, there are three other categories for each angel: Wish, Need, and Educational Item.
Some parishioners prefer to sign up for just one slot, such as the practical (need) category for a single child. Some parishioners desire to complete the entire “package’ for an angel by signing up in all four categories. Another shopper might choose the clothing (outfit) category for multiple angels.
To participate, you can simply go online to view the list and make your choices on the Christ Church 2022 Angel Tree SignUp. It has instructions on next steps. Or, if you prefer an in-person signup, make your choices starting Sunday, Nov. 27, when the decorated Angel Tree will be on display in the Narthex. You can gaze at tags on the tree, in keeping with tradition, but the definitive list of the children’s names and needs will be displayed on a nearby easel. For those in Old Brick, we’ll bring the easel to you.
In both locations, we’ll ask that you use the online form to sign up. Someone will be on hand after worship services on Sunday, Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 to assist if you wish to log on then. The deadline to bring in your unwrapped Angel Tree gifts is 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9. Please put them under the tree or in the Parish Hall conference room. With your help, we will lift the hearts not only of the angels but of their families.
If you wish to participate by giving of your time, please volunteer for one of two duties: Sign-up or Fulfillment. The former is to help people on Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 to log on to a device after services to sign up online. The latter takes place Dec. 10 when you collate packages or shop for -- but not pay for -- any unmet items. To volunteer, specify Sign-up or Fulfillment, or both, in an email to outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Columbia Community Care Takes a Holiday Break, Continues a Kids’ Gift Drive
Again this year, Columbia Community Care (CCC) is holding its annual holiday drive to gather gifts and treats for children from 2 to 12 years old, as described in the CCC Facebook group. CCC is also recruiting volunteers to help sort Items and help to distribute them at Oakland Mills High School on Sunday, Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until supplies run out.
For people who prefer a remote option, at least for shopping, CCC posted an Amazon wish list.
For the sake of simplicity, the Outreach Commission is suggesting parishioners buy kids’ books, coloring books, and arts-and-crafts items, all of which can be obtained at a reasonable cost from multiple retailers. Please drop off new, unwrapped items by 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9.
This is in addition to the typical collection at Christ Church, which consists of diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Please put the holiday items along with the usual ones in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall.
For those who volunteer or receive goods at CCC’s distribution sites, the organization is taking a Thanksgiving break. Sites and the shopper pantry will be closed and no home deliveries will be made on Saturday, Nov. 26. All volunteer slots that day have been canceled. CCC urges would-be volunteers to sign up for another day on its “I Can Help” site online.
FISH Asks Our Prayers Along with Snacks and Cookies
Our representative from FISH of Howard County recently had surgery. Paul Wisniewski is recovering; please pray for his good health. Pickups have resumed from our yellow bin between Old Brick and the Parish Hall. Please continue donating cookies, crackers, and snacks to fulfill the shopping lists. 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.
