Christ Church Outreach News: October 30, 2025
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Counting Down to Help Feed Hungry Neighbors at Our Fall Food Drive Next Saturday Afternoon, November 8
Christ Church holds this hands-on, multi-generational activity twice a year, in spring and fall. Don’t miss the chance to help during the Fall Food Drive next 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. 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 that help low-income families and individuals. The Howard County Food Bank is operated by the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC). Its partner, SAFE, provides free gluten-free and allergy-safe foods. 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. Together, that totals more than a ton of food and staples! During the drives, the experience provides hands-on service not only to our volunteers but also to shoppers we approach with a list of requested items.
The timing matters even more now as the federal government shutdown is expected to cut off food-stamp benefits known as SNAP. Access to food and necessities is a lifeline for people struggling to make ends meet, whose numbers in Howard County have grown due to inflation, workforce reductions, and other factors.
Thanks for Helping Replenish the Pantry at Grassroots’ Day Resource Center
Christ Church helps feed the hungry, month in and month out, through the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. Recently, the staff at its Day Resource Center (DRC) at the Leola Dorsey Center told our meals team that its pantry was bare. Demand is up among DRC clients, many of whom live outdoors in vehicles or tents near MD Rt. 1 in Jessup.
The Outreach Commission at its Oct. 13 meeting approved a purchase of $480 for 42 cases of canned meats, soups, vegetables, and fruits. Outreach members George and Shahra Toth delivered the groceries on Oct. 17th. All was purchased with Vestry-approved funds donated by parishioners to the church. A heartfelt thanks to all of you!
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. 10. 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. 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.
Please register here by the Nov. 30 deadline to participate virtually or in person. The price is $54 plus a $4 signup fee. Each registered runner will receive a hat bearing the logo of the Center, which is a ministry supported by the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland in its annual Bishop’s Appeal.
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.
