Food Drive Success! Christ Church Outreach News: May 21, 2026
- Christ Episcopal Church
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
Volunteers Collect More Than a Thousand Pounds of Goods During the Christ Church Spring Food Drive at River Hill Giant Supermarket
Christ Church volunteers successfully collected 1,103 pounds of food and staples during the Spring Food Drive on Saturday, May 16, for the Howard County Food Bank and its partner pantry, SAFE.
The collection for the Food Bank at Monday’s weigh-in amounted to 828 pounds of food and 112 pounds of other goods, such as diapers and toiletries. SAFE’s gluten-free goods weighed 163 pounds, with the largest donations being cans of tuna and jars of peanut butter, each weighing 33 pounds.
Sonni Aribiah delivered SAFE’s batch of containers on Saturday, and George and Shahra Toth hauled the bulk of the collection to the Food Bank on Monday. But the real action began at mid-morning on Saturday outside the River Hill Giant supermarket in Clarksville. Our multigenerational teams included a mother-son pair and a mother with two sons.
When volunteers from Christ Church approached customers with our list of requested items, dozens responded by saying they were glad for the opportunity to assist hungry neighbors. Some families encouraged their children to help hand off purchases, proudly giving to others. Young and old alike purchased many items from our list, ranging from canned soups and vegetables to large bags of rice. Several parishioners also pitched in by shopping generously to fulfill the pantries’ needs.
This drive differed from our previous efforts due to corporate restrictions on the number of volunteers and the earlier time slot. Christ Church has held a Spring and Fall Food Drive at various Giant Food locations since 2018, selecting Giant Food as the most welcoming retailer, with a break during the pandemic. In other years, the four-hour drive has yielded a ton of nonperishables.
This spring, some people preferred to give monetarily, and an increasing number donated directly online to the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC). The drive raised $267 in cash for CAC, which operates the food bank.
“Thank you so much for all the support to CAC,” responded its representative, acknowledging our church’s continuing partnership with the nonprofit.
SAFE leaders wrote: “Rest assured that these donations will make a difference to the many clients we serve. As always, we deeply appreciate the time and effort of all congregants who participated in the food drive on our behalf...Thank you for helping us to continue serving our clients in these challenging times.”
For all who played a part in the Spring Food Drive, at the store or behind the scenes, thanks to each and every one for doing God’s work!
You can scroll through the photos below.
Bring Items for FISH/CCC, and Consider Volunteering to Take Calls from Home
FISH and Columbia Community Care (CCC) partnered last year and merged pantries. CCC continues to hand out food at three sites on Saturday mornings and by home delivery to Howard County residents. For information, visit Get Help online. For updates on community services such as youth programs, check 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 bring baby wipes and diapers, especially large sizes.
FISH will continue to provide telephone support to Howard County residents, offering guidance and financial assistance because the personal touch is very important when people are in crisis. For information, ask parishioner and FISH treasurer Andy DeLong (seen in this photo) or email him at andydelong.fish@gmail.com.
You could be the one to lend a helping hand by lending an ear! As a phone volunteer, you can help from your home by giving just one day a month to assist those who could benefit from financial assistance from FISH. Training is provided. Thank you!
SAVE THE DATE! June 7 is the Next Annual Matzohball 5K Run
Join in the 22nd Annual Matzohball Run, organized by DreamBuilders member congregation Temple Isaiah on Sunday, June 7th, starting at 8:00 a.m. at Western Regional Park in Woodbine.
The proceeds benefit DreamBuilders, Grassroots, HopeWorks, and others to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable communities in need of support. Christ Church supports all of these organizations, so your help directly assists these groups.
If you would like more information, please speak with Cathy Gold at church.
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.
