Christ Church Outreach News: October 5, 2023
Inviting You to Remotely Join Us this Monday, Oct. 9, at the Monthly Outreach Meeting
Learn many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope. Email us for the Zoom link.
Last Call: Fall Food Drive to be Held this Saturday, Oct. 7th from 12-4 p.m., at Elkridge Giant Supermarket to Aid Two Food Pantries
Christ Church hopes to collect hundreds of pounds of non-perishable groceries for the Howard County Food Bank and for its partner, SAFE Food Pantry (SAFE) on Saturday, Oct. 7. Many of you have already signed the clipboard for a shift between noon and 4 p.m. at Elkridge Giant, 6020 Marshalee Drive, Elkridge, Md., 21075, located off MD Rt. 103 and MD Rt 100.
Walk-ins and children are welcome as Christ Church continues a hands-on, family-friendly activity that resumed last April after a pandemic hiatus. For information, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
Groceries collected during the drive will go to the food bank, which is operated by the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC), and to SAFE, which provides free gluten-free and allergy-safe foods to low-income families and individuals. The need is great among struggling households, due to inflation and other factors.
DreamBuilders Presentation This Sunday!
John McBeth, the founder of DreamBuilders, and Bill Brazis from the DB Leadership Team will be visiting Christ Church this Sunday between services to talk about past mission trips and upcoming opportunities. They'll be talking with CEC Youth Group members, but all interested adults and youth are encouraged to attend. You will find them in the Parish Hall downstairs classroom from 9:30 - 10:20 a.m. They're great storytellers, and DreamBuilders has a great story to tell!
Christ Church Extends Extra Help to the Homeless at Grassroots’ DRC in Jessup, Where You Can Help Prepare or Serve a Meal on Monday, Oct. 9
When facing hard times, our homeless friends depend on the Day Resource Center (DRC) for more than its tasty meals. Once more, staff members of the DRC knew that they could call on Christ Church to help replenish its resources.
Responding to the latest need, Outreach member Dione Mahoney bought a supply of 224 disposable razors and 240 pairs of men’s crew socks, which were sent with free shipping to the Leola Dorsey Community Resource Center. The needed items cost $293. Funds came from parishioners who donate through the church and mark their contributions to “General Outreach” or specifically to the center. Thank you!
The Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center operates the DRC at the Center in Jessup, where Christ Church provides a hot midday meal on the second Monday of each month. To join us on Monday, Oct. 9, please sign up by Sunday, Oct. 8. If you wish to volunteer or bring food for the midday meal, our DRC online signup form describes the procedure. We most recently took part on Sept. 11.
The drop-off time for side dishes, desserts, and fruit is 12:45 p.m. in the Christ Church parking lot near Old Brick. In-person volunteers are gathering at that time to car-pool to Jessup. Shahra Toth is our coordinator.
Later, parishioners who cook or shop for the evening meal for 50 residents of Grassroots’ Live-In Facility on Freetown Rd. arrive in the Old Brick parking lot between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. Get details in our Grassroots online signup form about the evening meal, which is served by Grassroots staff. It’s efficient to provide for diners at two venues on the same day. Your donations and Vestry-approved funds pay for the fried-chicken entrees. Thank you!
The DRC and the Live-In Facility have wider needs for their pantries and welcome in-kind donations to be dropped off for delivery on the second Mondays. Look for the latest needs list on bulletin boards at church or online, under the words “Related Files,” on each signup form.
DreamBuilders Spaghetti Dinner & Auction is Back!
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 on 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 Seeks Baby Care Items, More Volunteers
Please continue supporting Columbia Community Care (CCC) by giving essentials and with your time and talent. People can choose tasks such as translating to enable home deliveries or stocking the shelves at the pantry building, 10750 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia. Check the CCC Facebook Group for updates or go to the “I Can Help” portion of its website.
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 Sunday. The Christ Church point of contact is Leigh Smith, who monitors the bins and delivers their contents.
Donate Snacks, Crackers, and Cookies to FISH in Bin on our Breezeway
FISH of Howard County provides committed support to select families in need, and their current need requests include non-perishable foods, toiletries, and baby supplies. Please put any items for FISH in the small, wicker basket located next to the altar. You can also drop the items in the yellow bin that's located on the breezeway between Old Brick and the 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.
