Christ Church Outreach News: May 9, 2024
Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting Next Monday, May 13th
Learn many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, May 13th at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope, and you can join us virtually on Zoom to see how you can take part - email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org for the Zoom details.
Help the Homeless on Monday, May 13th, 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.
A team, led by parishioner Shahra Toth, makes side dishes and desserts that we serve in person at the DRC. When we participated on April 8th, the Toths supplied volunteers and interested diners with glasses to view the partial solar eclipse, and Emily Aubin made a box viewer for those reluctant to look toward the sun.
To join us next Monday, May 13th, please sign up by this Sunday, May 12. 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 carpool 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!
Lake Elkhorn Middle School Needs Your Help on Tuesday, May 14
Lake Elkhorn Middle School will be inviting families to another workshop to support them in the challenging job of being parents. Tracey Williams, the counselor at LEMS, has asked Christ Church to supply a dinner for the families and provide childcare during the workshop being held next Tuesday, May 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. at the NonProfit Collaborative of Howard County, 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046. We need adults and high school students who can serve food to all and play games with the children, ages kindergarten to 8th grade. Please contact Cathy Whittaker catharinewhittaker@gmail.com if you can help. Thank you.
Enjoy Food and Drink to Help Support DreamBuilders - May 15
Come join us at Bushel & Peck restaurant in Clarksville, MD on Wednesday, May 15th from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. for an evening of dining, refreshments, and fellowship in support of DreamBuilders. One month later, 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. PLUS, if you come to the fundraiser between 5-7 p.m., you’ll be able to enjoy our favorite Christ Church band - Small Delusions!
Between the services this Sunday at Christ Church, we'll have two items for sale: the first is a batch of 50/50 raffle tickets that cost $5 each or are 5 for $20. The winning ticket will be drawn at the restaurant on May 15th, but you don’t need to be present to win (we'll contact the winner that evening by phone if they're not present). Those days, you can also buy DreamBuilders chocolates, tea, and coffee. All proceeds from the sale of these items will be used towards the costs of building the three Kentucky homes this summer.
Collect Bags of Rice, Beans, and Maseca for RISE by Next Sunday, May 19
Please help as Christ Church conducts a drive for three crucial items in demand at RISE, a multicultural ministry in Baltimore County. We are collecting one-pound bags of rice and dried beans and any size bags of Maseca instant corn masa flour, which is used to make tortillas and more. The drive ends May 19, on Pentecost Sunday when Christ Church has traditionally celebrated its international roots. Please put your Maseca, rice, and beans (no cans or large bags, please) into the marked bin on the breezeway near the door to Old Brick.
RISE – or Refugee & Immigrant Support for Empowerment – is a program of Christ the King (CTK), whose rector is the Rev. Mary Eliot, formerly a member of the clergy at Christ Church. Its volunteers distribute food every other Wednesday to families who likely would go hungry otherwise. RISE also offers programs such as “Camp in a Bag” which is aimed at children and another that helps mothers and babies.
The mission of RISE appears online in CTK’s “Our Story”: “RISE is actively seeking to connect and form new partnerships, working with others to overcome the challenges of food insecurity, language barriers, insufficient housing, under-employment, transportation limitations, racism, and the trauma of economic insecurity.”
RISE offers free food, primarily consisting of produce, rice, beans, and Maseca, on distribution days at CTK, 1930 Brookdale Rd., Baltimore, MD 21244. The next dates are Wednesday, May 15, and Wednesday, May 29, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For information or to volunteer to help with preparation or distribution, go to “What is RISE?”
CTK says that RISE fed 15,000 people in 2023, adding an expression of gratitude: “Thank you to the many donors who helped make this possible.” Last year Christ Church was among supporters; the Outreach Commission approved a total of $600 in donations to CTK. Funds for RISE were derived from parishioner donations to Outreach and a Vestry-approved budget drawn from your pledges and contributions. Thank you!
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, 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 its contents.
Those who need groceries and other necessities can find information by going online to the “Get Help” section of CCC’s recently revamped website. Or learn how to volunteer at CCC’s distribution sites or as a translator or a shopper at its pantry. Check 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.
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.
