Christ Church Outreach News: November 2, 2023
Thanksgiving Food Drive (Non-perishables only) for the Howard County Food Bank Will be Conducted Nov. 5 - Nov. 16
Once again, Christ Church will be supporting the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) by conducting a food drive in the weeks before Thanksgiving. This year the holiday falls on Nov. 23. The drive will launch on Sunday, Nov. 5 and end on Thursday, Nov. 16 so there’s plenty of time for delivery to CAC’s Howard County Food Bank.
In 2023, the Food Bank expects to feed more than 1,000 people for Thanksgiving and another 1,000 around Christmas by distributing "Holiday Meal Kits." You can support this effort by bringing non-perishable food items that include the usual sides: boxed mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, gravy, cranberry sauce, olives, pickles, and cans of fruit and vegetables (low-sodium preferred).
Because families may find their pantries are bare overall this time of year, please consider adding items such as soups, tuna, pasta and sauce, rice, and peanut butter. NOTE: The food bank is not collecting pies, other desserts or rolls because of perishability.
Place goods on the Thanksgiving-decorated table in the Narthex. Or, if you wish to remain outdoors, put them in the latest yellow bin to be found on the breezeway. Marked “Thanksgiving Food Drive," this one is near the door to Old Brick. Given cold weather, it’s best if items in glass jars go in the Narthex collection.
After the onset of the pandemic, the Outreach Commission ended its previous practice of collecting turkeys during its annual drive. Instead, Christ Church this year has helped to fund the protein component of holiday meal kits. Outreach members approved a $750 donation to the CAC for the Food Bank’s purchases.
The holiday funds for CAC are the latest approved by the Outreach Commission in 2023. We gave $1,100 in April to pay for a week of milk and eggs at the food bank, $400 in the summer for a mobile food pantry, and $395 in cash donations from the Spring and Fall Food Drives. In response, CAC honors Christ Church among its “Village of Supporters” at the Advocate level in various ways.
This includes recognition of partners during its annual Holland Awards event, where Christ Church was represented by Kiona Lookingbill, director of Youth & Family Ministries, and her husband, Josiah Lookingbill, and by Vestry and Outreach Commission member Diane Phillips LaGuerre and her co-leader of Cycling for Health and Fellowship, Kevin Osborn.
Thanks to all who made possible these monetary donations through parishioners’ contributions to Christ Church. You are helping CAC fulfill its mission: “To diminish poverty and enable self-sufficiency for all Howard County individuals, families and children in need.” To learn more about CAC and its programs, including volunteer opportunities, please contact outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.)
Columbia Community Care Seeks Baby Care Items, More Volunteers
Please support Columbia Community Care (CCC) by donating items or volunteering. Choose tasks such as translating to enable home deliveries or sorting at the pantry. Check the CCC Facebook Group or go to the “I Can Help” portion of its website.
In a plea posted last week for volunteers, CCC pantry manager April Lee wrote: “I know it's a really hectic time of year just before the crush of the holidays, but if you can spare a few hours to help us get food to our hungry families that would be wonderful. I often remind our volunteers that what they do when helping us get groceries to our food-insecure neighbors is literally an answer to someone's prayers. Never underestimate the impact you can make in others' lives. We appreciate all of you so, so much! Thank you!!”
Continue 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 office is open or on Sundays. The Christ Church point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bins and delivers the contents.
Seafarers Center
WOCC representatives will deliver donations to the International Seafarers Center in Baltimore in mid-November. The Seafarers Center helps seamen and women whose ships come into the Baltimore Harbor. The Center appreciates receiving any of the following items for the Seafarers: calendars for 2024; warm hats, gloves, and scarves; stationery; magazines (e.g., current affairs and sports magazines, National Geographic, Smithsonian, etc.). Donations should be placed in the designated bin in the Tower Room by November 13th. This will be our last trip to the Center before Christmas. Let’s try to brighten the holidays for those who are so far from home. If you have any questions, please speak with Carolann Sawyer or Cindy Read.
Donate Snacks, Crackers, and Cookies to FISH in Bin on our Breezeway
FISH of Howard County needs non-perishable foods and toiletries. FISH provides committed support to select families in need. Please put your donations in the basket at the altar or drop them into the marked black and yellow bin on the breezeway between Old Brick and Parish Hall. 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.
