Christ Church Outreach News: October 23, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Now's the Time to Sign Up for Our Fall Food Drive at Dorsey’s Search Giant on Saturday, Nov. 8th from 1 to 5 p.m. to Help Feed Hungry Families
Be a part of one of the most rewarding ways to help feed the hungry. Please sign up for a shift during the Fall Food Drive on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Dorsey’s Search Giant supermarket, 4715 Dorsey Hall Drive, Ellicott City, Md., 21043.
Walk-ins and children are welcome as Christ Church continues a hands-on, family friendly activity that occurs twice a year, in spring and fall. Look for a signup sheet in the Narthex or in Old Brick. Please volunteer for a one-hour shift. To learn more, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Groceries collected from shoppers will go to two food pantries. One is the Howard County Food Bank, which is operated by the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC). The other is SAFE, its partner pantry that provides free gluten-free and allergy-safe foods to low-income families and individuals.
At our Spring Food Drive, held at a Giant supermarket in Clarksville, we collected 1,294 pounds; at the 2024 Fall Food Drive held at Dorsey’s Search, the haul was 1,440 pounds (see photos). Together that totals more than a ton of food and staples! During the drives, the experience provides hands-on service not only for our volunteers but for shoppers whom we approach with a list of requested items.
Most importantly, the access to food and necessities is a lifeline for people struggling to make ends meet. In Howard County, the number of these households has grown due to inflation and the federal government’s shutdown and workforce reductions.
Two Heart-Warming Ways to Help the Baltimore International Seafarers Center
The Women of Christ Church (WOCC) will deliver donations to the Baltimore International Seafarers Center in mid-November. The Seafarers Center helps seamen and women whose ships come into the Baltimore Harbor. The Center appreciates receiving any of the following items for the mariners: calendars for 2026, warm hats and scarves (no fringe or woolen balls), warm gloves, hand-warming packets, stationery, magazines (e.g., current affairs, sports, and activity magazines, National Geographic, Smithsonian, etc.). Please, no toiletries will be accepted. Donations should be placed in the designated bin in the Tower Room by Monday, Nov. 17. This will be our last trip to the Center before Christmas. Let’s try to brighten the holidays for those who are so far from home. If you have questions, please speak with Carolann Sawyer or Cindy Read.
The Seafarers Center will hold its first ever fun run on Saturday, Dec. 6, the feast day of St. Nicholas of Myra. The St. Nicholas Fun Run 2025 is named after the patron saint of sailors, who is remembered today for his generous spirit and care for those in need.
On that day, plan to drop in any time between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Center, 1430 Wallace St., Baltimore, Md. 21230, and proceed to nearby Ft. McHenry National Monument to do three laps around the fort, 2400 E. Fort Ave., Baltimore, Md. 21230. Runners are promised snacks, swag and other surprises. Alternatively, you can participate virtually and run wherever you would like. Virtual runners can pick up their swag by stopping at the Center between Monday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 6.
Each registered runner will receive a custom running hat featuring the Center’s logo. Please register here whether you plan to participate virtually or in person. The price is $54 plus a $4 signup fee. The registration deadline is Nov. 30.
As a ministry supported by the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland in its annual Bishop’s Appeal, the Center hopes for enthusiastic participation: “This event will help us continue working in the spirit of St. Nicholas to care for seafarers around the world!”se include early childhood education, eviction prevention, weatherization, and utility assistance.
Thanks to Your Support, LEMS Teachers Have More Classroom Necessities To Use Today
Thanks to your support, we were able to assemble and distribute 60 bags of classroom supplies to teachers at LEMS today. Teachers are always paying for classroom necessities like facial tissues, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and Band-Aids.
At the end of the school day, we visited the teachers' classrooms, and they were thrilled to receive their "health bags." A special thank you to Jan DeBoissiere and Diana Hall for their help, as well as Cindy Drummond and several LEMS students.
The next Kindness Pantry is scheduled for November 19th so you'll hear from us shortly about the SignUpGenius for the needed items.
There are ways that you can get involved at the school, as well. For example, Jan has been enjoying being a lunch room monitor, and there are still requests for tutors both during and after school, so please talk to us if you are interested in what is involved - LEMS@christchurchcolumbia.org
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 when people are in crisis. Consider volunteering from home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. 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.
