CEC Outreach News: June 11, 2021
Columbia Community Care Seeks Volunteers for New ‘Produce’ Slots
Now that summer has arrived, Columbia Community Care (CCC) has added two new categories to its volunteer slots. If you have a suitable vehicle and a strong back, consider these opportunities to help our less fortunate neighbors in Howard County to eat healthier.
One slot occurs on Wednesdays from 4 to 5 p.m. to pick up produce that is being donated from Clark's Elioak Farm, 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD, 21042 (near the intersection of Rt. 108 and Centennial Lane). The volunteer then delivers these vegetables and fruits to the CCC site at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd. And lastly, the person must return Clark's crates back to its farm stand.
Another slot occurs on Saturdays from 8:30 to 10 a.m. A volunteer must pick up the CCC’s produce order from one of the vendors at the Maryland Food Center Authority, a wholesale produce distribution center at 7460 Conowingo Ave., Jessup, MD, 20794, then deliver the order to the dropoff point so that other volunteers may then distribute it. That destination is the CCC site at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Rd. For this duty, a pickup truck is preferred, although a large van works also. One strong person or two capable people are needed.
CCC is in the process of adding the new slots to its signup section under “I can help” on its website but, until that site is updated, it’s best to sign up at the CCC Group on Facebook.
Existing volunteer slots continue from spring into summer. For more flexibility in timing, for example, consider taking a slot to “shop and deliver” an order of groceries to a recipient who lacks transportation. You can choose when you wish to go to the CCC pantry to fill a family’s shopping list and then take it to the home, following directions sent by text message. One Christ Church parishioner who has performed this volunteer duty finds there's room to deliver goods for two families at a time. (see photo)
The “shopping takes place not at a supermarket but at the CCC pantry within New Hope Adventist Church, 12350 Hall Shop Rd., Fulton, MD, 12350. Pantry hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 12:30 to 6 p.m.
Whether you plan to volunteer or not, please spread the word in the community among those who need food and other essentials so that more people can benefit. Besides the distribution site at Wilde Lake, CCC sites are located at Oakland Mills Middle School, 9540 Kilimanjaro Rd., and at Long Reach Village Center, Suite 9, 8775 Cloudleap Court, all in Columbia.
CCC hours are on Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for volunteers; the line will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, volunteers work from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; the line is open from 10 a.m. to noon.
At Christ Church, our Racially Aware Group of Episcopalians (R.A.G.E) and the Outreach Commission join in asking parishioners to continue supporting CCC in various ways. We have been gathering diapers, baby wipes, sanitary and personal care items, and adult diapers such as Depends. To make it convenient, you may drop off requested items in the yellow collection bins in the Parish Hall. You can drop off items on weekdays until 2 p.m., but we ask that you call the church office (410) 381-9365 ahead of time.
Outreach Flourishes as a Team Effort: Attend our June 14th Zoom Meeting to Get Involved
The Outreach Commission is making an effort to better spread the word about what we do and, in turn, persuade more parishioners to participate during 2021. We invite you to join us at our next meeting, to be held on Zoom at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 14th. Information on how to log on using a device or by phone will be provided in the Church notices about online activities next week. To become active in other ways, email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org.
As you consider becoming more involved in helping people, keep in mind the scripture that underpins our mission: And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Matthew 25: 40
Donate Personal Care, Household Cleaning Supplies for FISH in its Yellow Bin
Organizers for FISH of Howard County request household cleaning supplies such as liquid dish soap, bleach, and cleanser. Also, the families who call on FISH during times of crisis could use personal items such as deodorant, shampoo, and bath soaps. At the present time, the pantry has an adequate supply of groceries.
SEAFARER’S Donation Requests
We could use your help in gathering the following items. Delivery is made and the date announced when the number of collections gets reasonably accumulated. Contact Carolann Sawyer with any questions.
Bible in modern English (or Tagalog, Russian, or Chinese)
Times/Newsweek/etc. up to 3 months old
Sports Ill/People/etc. up to 6 months
Cars/Computers/Consumers up to 1 year
Reader’s Digest up to a couple of years
National Geographics post-2000
Books (except for Bibles) are less often requested, but some seafarers do appreciate action novels, as well as picture books about Baltimore or the U.S.
Action/adventure DVD’s. Recent popular CDs.
Religious books (in easy English), DVDs, CDs; rosaries.
Clothing - men’s jeans, other sturdy pants (no bigger than XL) or shorts, T-shirts, warm outerwear, and non-skid shoes/boots (in good condition only), and gloves, hats, scarves, and warm socks
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.