Christ Church Outreach News: April 18, 2024
LAST CALL: Volunteer at Our Spring Food Drive this Saturday, April 20th from 12-4 p.m. at River Hill Giant Supermarket in Clarksville
Here’s a great way to help feed the hungry: Take a one-hour shift during our Spring Food Drive on Saturday, April 20, from noon to 4 p.m., at River Hill Giant, 6050 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, Md., 21075. Children are welcome as Christ Church continues a hands-on, family-friendly activity.
Groceries collected 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. The need is great among struggling households, due to inflation and other causes.
Outside the supermarket, it’s clear we are doing God’s work. Volunteers wearing Christ Church aprons or T-shirts engage arriving shoppers and offer a reusable shopping bag that displays Old Brick and contact information. We ask that they purchase items on a list that the Outreach Commission prepares in collaboration with the Food Bank and SAFE. The newly-motivated customers then shop with a grocery list in hand, then return later with canned goods, boxes of cereal, pasta, and more.
Walk-ins are welcome! For information or to choose the best slot for your one-hour shift, please email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Thanks to all who have signed up.
Order Tickets Now for the Chili and Cornhole Event on Sunday, May 5, at Centennial Park to Raise Funds for Bridges to Housing Stability
Chili has been a key part of fundraising for Bridges to Housing Stability, an advocate for affordable housing that helps individuals and families who struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Last year, Christ Church was a supporter of Bridges' chili event and cornhole tournament, which was held in March. We had no cornhole team to root for in 2023 - why don’t you enter in 2024? If you’re polishing your cornhole skills, please tell us you’re interested by emailing outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
This year, the Beans & Bags event will be held on Sunday, May 5, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Centennial Park, Pavilion H, 4760 Woodland Rd., Ellicott City 21042. The real competition has to do with funds raised through individual donations or by meals purchased to enjoy during the event or for carry-out. Tickets are $25 for an adult and $10 for a child. Please order your tickets now to help Christ Church vie for an award.
The event is a crucial annual fundraiser, and Christ Church is a sponsor at what Bridges calls the “Ghost Pepper” level in recognition of our recent contribution. The Outreach Commission approved a donation of $1,000 that will help Howard County households through eviction prevention and in other ways. These are Vestry-approved funds that are drawn from your pledges and contributions. Thanks to all for making it possible.
It’s a worthy cause, including recent initiatives described in the Outreach Blog of Feb. 15, 2024. Christ Church entered a countywide chili cook-off in 2019, the year we became one of Bridges’ supporting congregations. At a Chili & Challenge virtual fundraiser in 2020, Christ Church won a Silver Ladle Award. Then, at the 2021 Chili & Challenge, we won gold. The relationship began at the urging of parishioner Jim Collins, who was honored among Bridges’ “Heroes for Housing” in 2022.
Columbia Community Care Needs Diapers and Other Baby-Care Items
Columbia Community Care (CCC) continues to need baby-care items and diapers. Sizes 4-6 are in the greatest demand, as are 3T-4T and 4T-5T pullups. Please continue to collect these along with sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin that's marked “CCC” and is inside the Parish Hall. Drop off items on weekdays when the church office is open, or bring them to church on Sundays. Our point of contact is parishioner Leigh Smith, who monitors the bin and delivers its contents.
Those who need groceries and other necessities can find information by going online to the “I Need Help” portion of CCC’s website. You can learn how to volunteer at the sites or at the pantry operated by CCC by visiting that same page. Look for updates on the CCC Facebook Group.
Look for the FISH Bin on the Breezeway near the Parish Hall
FISH of Howard County requests non-perishable foods and toiletries, which we collect in the basket at the altar or in a marked yellow bin on the breezeway between the Parish Hall and Old Brick. FISH provides committed support to select families in need. The neighbors you help give thanks for all you do in their support.
Lake Elkhorn Middle School Needs Your Help
Tracey Williams, the counselor at LEMS, has asked Christ Church to supply a dinner for the families and provide childcare during the next workshop on Tuesday, May 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the cafeteria. We need adults and high school students who can serve food to all and play games with the children, ages Kindergarten to 8th grade. If you can help, please contact Deacon Denise deacondenise@christchurchcolumbia.org or Cathy Whittaker catharinewhittaker@gmail.com.
Enjoy Food and Drink to Help Support DreamBuilders!
Come join us at Bushel & Peck restaurant in Clarksville, MD on Wednesday, May 15th from 4-9 p.m. for an evening of dining, refreshments, and fellowship in support of DreamBuilders. In June of this year, DreamBuilders will be building three homes in Hazard, Kentucky, and a portion of the proceeds from your meals and drinks will go directly toward funding the materials for these three homes.
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.
