Christ Church Outreach News: August 8, 2024
Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting this Monday, August 12
Learn how you can help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, Aug. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope.
Email us at outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org for the Zoom details, and we'll see you there!
Help the Homeless this Monday, Aug. 12, by Preparing a Dish for Grassroots’ Live-In Facility or Serving a Meal at Its Day Resource Center
On the second Monday of each month, Christ Church provides a hot midday meal for the homeless at the Day Resource Center (DRC) and drops off dinner at a live-in shelter for 50 residents. Both are operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. We last participated on July 8.
A team led by parishioner Shahra Toth makes side dishes and desserts that we serve in person at the DRC. To join us on Monday, Aug. 12, please sign up by Sunday, Aug. 11. If you wish to volunteer or bring food for the midday meal, our DRC online signup form describes the procedure. Drop-off time is 12:45 p.m. in the Christ Church parking lot near Old Brick for DRC’s food, drinks, and supplemental items such as fruit and granola bars. In-person volunteers gather at that time to car-pool to Jessup.
Later, parishioners who cook or shop for the evening meal at Grassroots’ Live-In Facility arrive in the Old Brick parking lot between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. Get details in our Grassroots online signup form. Grassroots staff serves the evening meal at its Freetown Road facility. It’s efficient to provide for both venues on the same day. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried-chicken entrees. Thank you!
Recently, your generosity helped ease life for our homeless neighbors at the DRC, which is open on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. During the rest of the week, people who live in tents, cars or other transient settings rely on nourishing staples from the DRC pantry. To replenish its shelves, the staff requested canned meats and vegetables and jars of peanut butter that are small enough to fit in a backpack. In response, the Outreach Commission approved spending $283 and members Dione Mahoney and George Toth acquired and delivered the goods. These were purchased with funds donated to the church by parishioners who give to “General Outreach” or specifically to DRC or Grassroots. A hearty thanks from our DRC friends!
LEMS Needs Your Help One More Time – This Wednesday
We need a few volunteers to meet at the CEC campus this Tuesday, August 13th at 9:00 a.m. to load up vehicles and deliver them to LEMS. We could use a few larger vehicles (pickup truck, van, etc.) so we can get things to the school in fewer trips. If you have questions about our LEMS partnership or would like to help on the 13th, please speak with Cathy Whittaker at church or email lemssupplies@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Columbia Community Care Requests Diapers, Seeks Volunteers at Sites
Please keep in mind that Columbia Community Care (CCC) has shortened summer hours for its distribution sites, which serve our neighbors in need on Saturdays. Volunteers arrive at 9 a.m., start distribution between 9:30 and 10 a.m., and close by 11:30 a.m.
Locations are at Long Reach, Suite 107, 8775 Cloudleap Ct.; Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd.; and The Barn at Oakland Mills Village Center, 5853 Robert Oliver Place, all in Columbia.
Go online to learn how to volunteer at distribution sites or as a translator or shopper at its pantry, which has relocated to the rear of the Long Reach distribution site. Those who need groceries and other necessities can find information by going online to “Get Help” on CCC’s website. Find updates on the CCC Facebook Group.
CCC continues to request baby-care items and diapers, especially sizes 4-6, and pullups in sizes 3T, 4T, and 5T. Put these along with sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. Drop off items on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sundays. The Christ Church point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bin and delivers items.
Home Sweet Home
The WOCC, in partnership with Grassroots, is providing new home kits for those who have recently been homeless and have now found an opportunity to have a home of their own. The kits include much-needed, common materials for anyone who needs assistance with starting a new life chapter.
Please visit our sign-up sheet here, which has specific items you can provide. From trash cans to gift cards, each item will make those moving into their new home feel more at home. Your item donations can then be deposited into the marked bin near the Outreach table in the Tower Room of New Brick, or email WOCC@christchurchcolumbia.org if you need assistance or have any questions. We hope you'll participate in this program, which ends on September 22nd.
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.
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.
