CEC Outreach News: March 26, 2021
Spread the Word to Help the Hungry: Food Giveaway at Howard Community College
Public-health students at Howard Community College are planning to hand out free food to the less fortunate in Howard County on two separate days about a month apart. As a part of a final course assignment, the students are collaborating with the Maryland Food Bank to distribute 350 free boxes of food and canned goods to those in need.
The first distribution will be held Thursday, April 1st from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is drive-through only (no walk-ins) at Parking Lot B, Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD, 21044. The next distribution will be held Friday, April 30th, at the same place and at the same time.
Please spread the word among yourselves and any others who would benefit from free food. No eligibility is required.
Columbia Community Care Plans for Spring, Shares Future Aspirations
The all-volunteer effort that came together in response to the pandemic, Columbia Community Care (CCC), reached its one-year anniversary on March 18th and has set ambitious goals for 2021. Meanwhile, it has some short-term plans to bring cheer to children in Howard County on Saturday, March 27th.
CCC has called on members of the community to help children ages 3 to 11 years old get ready to welcome spring. Volunteers are adding a table to each of CCC’s three distribution sites that will offer gift bags and baskets for kids. The sites are open for distribution on Saturday, March 27th from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the following three locations: Stevens Forest Neighborhood Center, 6061 Stevens Forest Rd., Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd., and Long Reach Village Center, Suite 9, 8775 Cloudleap Ct., all in Columbia.
Sue Sharff Castonguay, a member of the CCC group on Facebook, organized the giveaway and will personally prepare multiple bags. However, to make sure there is plenty to go around, parishioners and others are invited to put together medium-size bags or baskets. She suggests filling them with new items suitable for ages 3 to 11. Ideas include gender-neutral gifts and small toys, individual snacks, juice boxes, packaged candy (no loose or bulk candy), filled plastic eggs, stickers, play dough, slime, art supplies, markers, watercolors, face masks, and mini hand sanitizers.
Parishioners can bring their bag or basket(s) to the yellow bin marked “CCC” located inside the entrance to the Parish Hall. To make sure the items get to the organizer’s preferred sites on time, a member of the Outreach Commission will coordinate with CCC. The Christ Church deadline for dropoff is today, March 26th by 2 p.m.
At a recent Zoom session with Christ Church parishioners, the founder of CCC said its goal is to establish the Columbia Community Care Peace and Justice Center to address inequities in Howard County by empowering residents. Erika Strauss Chavarria, the founder, spoke to our Racially Aware Group of Episcopalians (R.A.G.E.).
She said CCC is negotiating for a physical space where organizers would address systemic racism and other societal issues. The center would set up programming in four categories: food and sustainable farming, education and mentorship, workforce development, and health and healing. CCC is raising funds through its affiliated nonprofit organization, Equity4HC, and gathering signatures on a petition. To sign the petition or to read more about plans for the social justice center, go to the website for its petition drive.
Separately, our Christ Church drive for CCC continues to seek diapers in all sizes and baby wipes, women’s sanitary care products, soaps, shampoo, deodorant, and other toiletries. Please put them in the yellow bin marked “CCC” any time on weekdays until 2 p.m., but we ask that you call the church office (410) 381-9365 to let them know when you are coming.
Meanwhile, if you or others whom you know are in need of free groceries or items, go to the CCC website to find when its three distribution locations are open on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Wilde Lake, Long Reach and Oakland Mills. Or if you or others lack transportation, look for the button to request home delivery.
Grassroots Offers QPR Training on March 29th to Help Save Lives
Before the month ends, you can take advantage of a truly beneficial program offered by Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. With offer members of the community a chance to learn skills that could help save a life from suicide. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer -- the three simple steps anyone can learn to help save lives, just as individuals trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver learn what to do.
Training will be offered for adults on Monday, March 29th, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. To register go here: To learn more, email amanda@grassrootscrisis.org to speak with Amanda Ganoe, the sessions’ organizer. The online seminar is free to Howard County residents, employees, or students, thanks to a grant from Horizon Foundation. For more information about this evidence-based practice, please visit qprinstitute.com.
Donate Groceries for FISH in an Altar Basket or in the Yellow Bin
As in-person worship has resumed, you should find a basket of groceries for FISH of Howard County in the sanctuary. For the convenience of parishioners who continue to observe pandemic precautions, the yellow bin marked “FISH” remains on the breezeway between the Parish Hall and Old Brick. As we transition from winter to spring, keep the weather in mind and avoid putting items in the bin that will freeze.
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.
Outreach - Seafarer’s Donations
For years we have been involved in providing requested items to Seafarers. WOCC volunteers plan to deliver the items on April 6th. Below is a list of the types of magazines, books and DVD’s/CD’s to be donated. If you can help, it would be greatly appreciated. The Seafarer’s bin is in lower level, near the bottom of the steps, in the Parish House.
Suggested Items needed:
Bible in modern English (or Tagalog, Russian, or Chinese),
Times/Newsweek/etc. up to 3 months old
Sports Illustrated/People/etc. up to 6 months
Cars/Computers/Consumers magazines - up to 1 year
Reader’s Digest up to a couple of years
National Geographics post 2000
Books (except for Bibles) are less often requested, but some seafarers do appreciate action novels, as well as picture books about Baltimore or the U.S.
Action/adventure DVD’s. Recent popular CD’s.
Religious books (in easy English), DVD’s, CD’s; rosaries.
March LEMS Committee Update
Some of the Lake Elkhorn Middle School students are starting to return to in-person learning this month. The LEMS committee purchased hand sanitizer for the teachers/staff and over five thousand disposable face masks for use by both teachers and students to help keep them safe while they finish out the school year. The school administration is extremely grateful for the support Christ Church has provided throughout the pandemic as they teach and learn during very unusual circumstances.
The LEMS committee is continuing to provide food for ten families one weekend a month with this month's distribution occurring on March 11th. If you have any questions or want to help, please contact lemspc@christchurchcolumbia.org.
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.