Christ Church Outreach News: October 12, 2023
We asked, "Will You Help?" and Shoppers said, "YES!"
The latest Christ Church Food Drive outreach gathering was held last Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Elkridge Giant supermarket. Through the hard work of many wonderful Christ Church volunteers and generous giving by our local community, we successfully collected a half-ton of non-perishable groceries for the Howard County Food Bank and six bins of gluten-free food for its partner, SAFE Food Pantry (SAFE).
Our volunteers were so persuasive that shoppers responded despite distractions, including playoff baseball, changing weather, and solicitations by a Boy Scout troop. People accepted our handouts containing a suggested grocery list and later returned with hundreds of canned goods, boxes of cereal and pasta, and jars of pasta and peanut butter. Some items were, as requested, gluten-free and allergy-safe (see photos).
The collection filled the bed of the Knox family’s pickup truck and weighed in at 1,000 pounds (a ton weighs 2,000 pounds) upon arrival on Tuesday at the food bank, which is operated by the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC). Some shoppers said they were too rushed to buy items but instead gave cash, resulting in a total of $145 being donated to CAC.
The drive was the second in 2023 after a pandemic hiatus. Nearly 20 parishioners, including two children, volunteered for shifts of at least an hour. Some chose to stay from noon until 4 p.m. It was clear we were doing God’s work: many volunteers wore Christ Church T-shirts or aprons and offered participants a reusable shopping bag that displayed Old Brick and contact information.
It was a rewarding, family-friendly activity. If you missed it, don’t fret; plan now to participate next spring when we will hold a drive at a different Giant supermarket. Or if you feel called to do more, consider volunteering at the food bank or at SAFE between now and then. For information, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
CAC’s food bank is a lifeline for low-income families and individuals. Its partner, SAFE, provides free gluten-free and allergy-safe foods to registered clients whose dietary needs boost the price of groceries even higher. The need for all types of food assistance is great due to inflation and other factors. Thanks to all who volunteered on Saturday to help these struggling households.
DreamBuilders Spaghetti Dinner & Auction
After three years without DreamBuilders spaghetti, we know you are eager to get a plate full! Spaghetti is back on the menu at Temple Isaiah this Saturday, October 14th, from 5-8 p.m. We’ll be hosting our silent auction at the same time, and we could use your participation. We’ve got two mission trips to fund, including blitz builds, and local projects, too. This is DB's biggest fundraiser, and we’re looking for both donations and help at the auction. And our favorite Christ Church band, Small Delusions, will perform the dinner music! Visit DreamBuildersmd.org for more information, or talk to Stacey Frith and Cathy Gold. See you at the dinner!
Columbia Community Care Issues Urgent Call for Baby Care Items
Please continue supporting Columbia Community Care (CCC) by donating baby care items. Posting on the CCC Facebook Group on Tuesday, Oct. 10, CCC Pantry Manager April Lee wrote: “DIAPERS AND BABY WIPES NEEDED PLEASE! As you all know, CCC not only provides food and personal hygiene items for our customers in need but also diapers and baby wipes for our families who have young children. We are very low on diapers (especially sizes 3-6) right now as well as baby wipes. If you are able to, please help us restock our diapers and baby wipes supply. Thank you so much!!”
Please put these diapers and wipes in the yellow bin, marked “CCC,” inside the Parish Hall. The organization also requests sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers. Drop off items on weekdays when the church office is open or on Sunday. The Christ Church point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bins and delivers their contents.
CCC distributes the free goods along with produce and groceries at three sites in the community every Saturday and makes home deliveries to those without transportation. To volunteer at various stages in that process, go to the “I Can Help” portion of its website.
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.
