Christ Church Outreach News: September 5, 2024
Inviting You to Join Our Monthly Outreach Meeting next Monday, September 9
Learn many ways to help others by joining us remotely for the Outreach Commission meeting on Monday, Sept. 9, at 7:30 p.m. Our mission has a local, national, and international scope. Look for Church notices about online activities. See you on Zoom!
Help the Homeless on Monday, Sept. 9, 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, and last participated on August 12th. Both organizations 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 after carpooling to the DRC. To join us on Monday, Sept. 9, please sign up by Sunday, Sept. 8. 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 parking lot near Old Brick for DRC’s side dishes. Thanks to all for an outpouring of supplemental items such as drinks, fruit, granola bars, and pantry staples including tuna and peanut butter. That load filled a truck bed. Please keep up the good work!
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. The diners are grateful!
Recently, your giving helped ease life for our homeless neighbors. Those in Jessup rely on sundries from the DRC pantry. To replenish its shelves, the staff requested reusable bags and disposable razors. In response, the Outreach Commission approved spending $105 for the goods. Meanwhile, the Live-In Facility had depleted its supply of shampoo and conditioner, and we spent $40 to buy 10 bottles of each. These personal-care essentials were purchased with funds donated to the church by parishioners who give to “General Outreach” or specifically to DRC or Grassroots. A hearty thanks!
Donate Items to the Flea Market, and Help Support Our Refugee Ministry
Please donate your in-good-condition rummage sale items to the Refugee Ministry table at the September 14th flea market. We’ll take just about anything that’s in good condition (but not clothes and not furniture that won’t fit in a car’s back seat or trunk).
Please bring your donations to the parish hall between 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., any weekday through Friday, September 13. If you need us to pick up your items, have any questions, or would like to help (you’ll get first pick!), please email parishioners Paula Rees (cprees@comcast.net), Diana Hall (dbhallmd@gmail.com), or Ann Barnes (annbarnes001@comcast.net), or speak with them at church. Thank you for your support.
Enter a Golf Tournament on Friday, Sept. 20, to Help Bridges to Housing Stability
Advocating for affordable housing and helping people to keep a roof over their heads is the mission of Bridges to Housing Stability. Golfers can support this good cause on Friday, Sept. 20 during the third annual Sheehy Toyota Bridges for Birdies Golf Tournament at The Timbers of Troy, 6100 Marshalee Dr., Elkridge, MD. The tournament begins with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. and features a full day of golf, food, and awards. The cost for a single golfer is $200, or $800 for a foursome, which covers greens fees, unlimited range balls, food, and beverages.
The event raises crucial operating funds, says Bridges Executive Director Jen Broderick. “Every swing, every hole, and every cheer helps us make real change in our community.” Christ Church has been a supporter of Bridges since 2019.
Howard County Walk to End Alzheimer's - September 21
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s, an important annual drive at Centennial Park in Ellicott City, is on Saturday, September 21st this year, and your help to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research is needed and appreciated. You can learn more about the event and how to register or donate on their website. Whichever way you choose, it helps to remember those who have been lost to this disease and bring attention to the critical research needed to eradicate Alzheimer’s and mental deterioration.
Home Sweet Home
The WOCC, in partnership with Grassroots, is providing new home kits for those who have recently been homeless and have now found an opportunity to have a home of their own. The kits include much-needed, common materials for anyone who needs assistance with starting a new life chapter.
Please visit our sign-up sheet here, which has specific items you can provide. From trash cans to gift cards, each item will make them feel more at home. Your item donations can then be deposited into the marked bin near the Outreach table in the Tower Room of New Brick. If you have any questions or need assistance, please speak with JoEmily Knox or Sara Kirkpatrick at church, or email WOCC@christchurchcolumbia.org. We hope you'll participate in this program, which ends on September 22nd.
Columbia Community Care Resumes Taking Home Delivery Requests
Columbia Community Care (CCC) announced on Tuesday that after overcoming a backlog of home delivery requests, it has resumed taking new orders from those who lack transportation to get to its distribution sites. At the same time, CCC posted a plea for volunteers to help with the tasks involved: “We ALWAYS need more help with pantry deliveries and translating/dispatch. Please sign up if you can help! Thank you as always! We could not do anything without your support!”
Go online to learn how to volunteer at distribution sites or as a translator or shopper at its pantry, which has relocated to the rear of the Long Reach distribution site. Those who need groceries and other necessities can find information by going online to “Get Help” on CCC’s website. Find updates on the CCC Facebook Group.
Two of its three sites will be open on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Long Reach Village Center, Suite 107, 8775 Cloudleap Ct., and at Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd. The Oakland Mills site will be closed. Distribution goes from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
CCC continues to request baby-care items and diapers, especially sizes 4-6, and pullups in sizes 3T, 4T, and 5T. Put these along with sanitary and personal care items and adult diapers 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 items.
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.
