CEC Outreach News: October 22, 2021
Columbia Community Care Signs Up Volunteers Through December 18th
The all-volunteer organization, Columbia Community Care (CCC), announced last week that it plans to conduct operations outdoors and to keep its three distribution sites at the same locations until Dec. 18, 2021. It has updated its volunteer signup lists for the three sites and suggests that volunteers consider giving a hand.
“Please sign up if you can! We love our volunteers!” leaders of CCC posted on Oct. 16 at the CCC Group on Facebook. If you decide to answer their call, you can sign up there or on the CCC website by clicking the section called “I can help.”
CCC distributes one day a week, on Saturdays, when volunteers are asked to begin their shifts at 9 a.m. Hours for recipients are 10 am to noon.
The distribution sites are at Oakland Mills Middle School, 9540 Kilimanjaro Road; at Long Reach Village Center, Suite 9, 8775 Cloudleap Ct., and at Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd., all in Columbia. One or more locations are likely to vary during winter as distribution moves indoors, while remaining in compliance with pandemic protocols.
At Christ Church, members of R.A.G.E and the Outreach Commission ask parishioners to continue supporting CCC in various ways. Our point of contact for CCC is Violet Smith, who takes our donated goods to Wilde Lake, where organizers can reallocate them as needed to the other sites.
On Oct. 20, CCC told supporters that diapers in sizes 4, 5, and 6 are in particularly short supply. As usual, parishioners are asked to donate baby items, such as diapers and wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers.
Please put any of these items in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. You can drop off items on weekdays when the church office is open but suggest calling the office (410) 381-9365 ahead of time.
SAFE Offers Gluten-Free Food at Its CCC-Partner Site on October 23rd
The SAFE Food Pantry, a nonprofit organization that helps people who require gluten-free and allergy-friendly groceries, will be at the CCC site at Oakland Mills Middle School on Saturday, Oct. 23. The SAFE table operates on the same timeframe as the CCC site: Volunteers and donation dropoff begins at 9 a.m.; food distribution goes from 10 a.m. to noon. If you have gluten-free or other safe foods to donate, you can bring them without making advance arrangements. Or, if you or others whom you know need these items, please come to OMMS. For more information, please call or text a SAFE volunteer at 443-741-1060.
Another way to obtain food from SAFE is through its partnership with the Howard County Food Bank. Clients of the food bank can receive pre-bagged, non-allergenic food items when they check in for their monthly visits.
Donate Personal Care and Cleaning Supplies for FISH in Bin on our Breezeway
Organizers for FISH of Howard County request household cleaning supplies such as liquid dish soap, bleach, and cleanser as well as personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, and bath soaps. The bin is on the breezeway between Old Brick and the Parish Hall.
DreamBuilders are Planning a Trip to Puerto Rico in January!
DreamBuilders is in the planning stages for a trip to Puerto Rico during the week of January 9-15, 2022, to repair homes damaged by hurricanes and earthquakes. We were not able to go last year due to COVID restrictions, but in 2019, we were able to help rebuild two homes, working with our St. Bernard Project (SBP) partners. They are once again allowing volunteers to come to the island and work through them, as there are many still in need of help. If you are interested in joining our group, please contact Cathy Gold or Stacey Frith to let us know.
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.
