Christ Church Outreach News: March 20, 2025
A Streamlined Plan Will Be in Effect During Our Spring Food Drive on Saturday, April 5, 12-4 PM, at River Hill Giant Supermarket in Clarksville
In response to a request by the management of Giant Foods, we must streamline the way in which Christ Church conducts its Spring Food Drive on Saturday, April 5, from noon to 4 p.m., at River Hill Giant, 6050 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, Md., 21075.
A new corporate policy will limit the number of volunteers on the supermarket premises to four at any one time, and only two people can be positioned at the table and available to engage with arriving shoppers. Two of the four volunteers will be packing any collected groceries or seated off to one side and won’t interact with Giant customers.
Groceries collected from shoppers 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. Each pantry provides its list of preferred items that we have printed on a handout and will also be displayed on a poster to inform shoppers.
A revised signup sheet reflecting the streamlined plan will be available this Sunday, March 23, in the Narthex or in Old Brick. We plan to ask for an exception to the headcount for those volunteers who wish to bring a child, so it is important when you sign up to indicate if you want to bring your kids.
Outreach welcomes new and returning volunteers, but unlike in the past, we’ll have to take turns on limited shifts and won’t be part of a large group. Walk-in volunteers will be encouraged to do their part by taking a shopping list and purchasing some of the needed items. To learn more, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
The need is great. The number of struggling households has grown in Howard County due to inflation and the mass firing of federal workers. In response, the CAC posted: “Terminated federal employees living in Howard County may visit the Howard County Food Bank to receive a bag of shelf staples twice a month for up to three months.”
FISH Asks for Volunteers As Well as Groceries and Toiletries in its Bin and Basket
FISH of Howard County is calling for new volunteers. If you are interested, ask parishioner Andy DeLong, who is FISH treasurer and a board member of the nonprofit, which provides committed support to Howard County residents.
Please continue to put non-perishable foods and toiletries in the FISH basket at the altar or in the bin on the breezeway. The neighbors you help are grateful for all you do in their support.
Columbia Community Care Turns 5, Continues to Request Our Support
When the pandemic hit and Maryland entered a lockdown in March 2020, many students were going hungry without the school meals that they had grown to depend upon. That’s when a local teacher founded Columbia Community Care (CCC) to collect and distribute essentials to families in need. After individual parishioners began helping, Christ Church became a regular supporter in June 2020.
CCC marked “5 Years of Community” this month with a post on its Facebook page. It distributes groceries, diapers, and personal care items at three sites on Saturday mornings and delivers to those without transportation. To volunteer, go to “Volunteer Opportunities.” Those who need help are urged to go to “Get Help” on CCC’s website.
Please keep collecting diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers. Put them in the yellow bin marked “CCC” inside the Parish Hall. Our point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bin and delivers its contents.
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.
