Christ Church Outreach News: January 4, 2024
Inviting You to Zoom Into Our Monthly Outreach Meeting on Monday, January 8
Learn many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, Jan. 8, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope. Please email us for the Zoom link.
Christ Church Extends Extra Help to the Homeless at Grassroots’ DRC in Jessup, Where Plans Differ From Past For Meals on Monday, January 8
Our homeless friends depend on the Day Resource Center (DRC) for more than its tasty meals. Once more, staff members called on Christ Church to help replenish resources at the DRC, which is operated by the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center.
Responding to the latest needs, which were identified in the closet as well as the kitchen, Outreach member Dione Mahoney went shopping at thrift stores and elsewhere. She bought 40 pairs of men’s jeans and accepted clothing donations from parishioners and our neighbors. As a result, on Dec. 13, Jim Mahoney was able to deliver the jeans along with two pairs of men’s pants, 15 winter coats, a bag of women’s clothing, and six hand-knit scarves.
For a cost of $242, Outreach used funds to pay for the jeans and 40 three-piece settings of stainless flatware that will smooth the process of meal service at the DRC. Funds come from parishioners who donate through the church and mark their contributions to “General Outreach” or specifically to the DRC, which is located at the Leola Dorsey Community Resource Center. Thanks to one and all!
Christ Church serves DRC’s hot midday meal on the second Monday of each month, which next falls on Monday, Jan. 8. In a slight variation of the usual practices, we share the duties this month with volunteers from Mission BBQ. So we are limiting the number of servers, omitting side dishes and expecting fewer desserts. You’ll notice the modifications on our DRC online signup form.
Please take note that we still need fruits and granola bars.
The drop-off time for desserts and fruit is 12:45 p.m. in the Christ Church parking lot near Old Brick. In-person volunteers gather at that time to carpool to Jessup. We most recently served on Dec. 11, when Outreach member and lead meals coordinator Shahra Toth accepted donations of men’s socks along with the food.
Please be aware that there is no menu change for parishioners who cook or shop for the evening meal for the 50 residents of Grassroots’ Live-In Facility on Freetown Rd. Please bring your sides and desserts and 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. It’s efficient to provide for both venues on the same day. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried chicken entree. Thank you!
Grassroots has wider needs for its pantries, now located at three sites. It welcomes in-kind donations to be dropped off for delivery on the second Monday of each month. Look for its list on church bulletin boards or see “Related Files” on each signup form.
Columbia Community Care Seeks Baby Care Items, More Volunteers
Please continue supporting Columbia Community Care (CCC) by giving essentials and with your time and talent. One task is sorting at the pantry building, 10750 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia. Go to the “I Can Help” portion of its website or check the CCC Facebook Group for updates.
Please keep collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Put any of these 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 bins and delivers their contents.
Please Donate All Kinds of Grocery Non-Perishables and Toiletries to FISH
FISH of Howard County needs non-perishable foods and toiletries. FISH provides committed support to select families in need. Please put donations in the basket at the altar or in the marked yellow bin on the breezeway between Old Brick and Parish Hall. The neighbors you help give thanks for all you do in their support.
DreamBuilders: Save the Date!
DreamBuilders will be having its General Meeting on Sunday, February 4th from 3-5 p.m. at Temple Isaiah in Fulton. We will be talking about our upcoming Kentucky trip this June, when we hope to "blitz build" THREE Houses in one week! It’s going to be great fun, and we’ve got lots of pictures from last summer’s trip to show you at the meeting, so mark your calendars - see you there!
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.
