While many Howard County families have a local community association membership or they can afford to send their young people to camps, the county’s working-class families—some of whom are working multiple jobs and still struggling—continue to face financial barriers that make it more challenging for their children to have a place to go in the […]
Summer Youth Program Prevents Crime and Strengthens Self-Worth Read More »
Meeting the basic needs of Howard County residents is one of the tenets that drew Vaughn-Smith to supporting CCC, which provides hunger relief through food pantries and grocery delivery; mentorship and youth engagement through its STAND, PUSH and volleyball programs, and community connections to improve the well-being of everyone. Read more about his involvement.
Meet Board Member Matthew Vaughn-Smith Read More »
Rising Food Costs and Soaring Demand Are Straining CCC’s Hunger Relief Efforts When April Lee first started volunteering at Columbia Community Care (CCC) during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, she thought she was signing up for a few months of purchasing food and supplies to donate while recovering from double knee replacement surgery.
“We Can’t Afford to Stop” Read More »
In the quiet moments before Columbia Community Care’s food pantry opens each morning, Jocelyn Ball and Sophia Smith are already hard at work. They might be arranging fresh produce deliveries, picking up items from Costco or Trader Joe’s, stocking and sorting items onto the shelves, or assisting volunteers who shop and deliver groceries to local
Service Year Spotlight: How Jocelyn and Sophia Found Purpose at Columbia Community Care Read More »
Since our beginnings, we have provided food, mentorship, and life-changing opportunities to thousands of families and individuals across Howard County.
Five Years Forward: Celebrating Our Progress and Fueling the Future Read More »
We’re proud to share our 2024 Annual Report, highlighting a year of growth, impact, and community connection. What began as a simple Facebook post in March 2020 has blossomed into a vital community resource, serving 300-400 families weekly and creating transformative opportunities for youth and adults throughout Howard County. As we mark our fifth year
Columbia Community Care 2024 Annual Report: Building Connections, Creating Change Read More »
“Food insecurity isn’t just about hunger – it’s about deeply rooted systemic barriers that prevent people from accessing the nutrition they need,” explains Erika Chavarria, executive director of Columbia Community Care (CCC). “Even in an affluent area like Howard County, we see how these barriers impact our neighbors every day.” While Howard County appears prosperous
Breaking Down Barriers: Understanding Food Access Challenges in Howard County Read More »
From Executive Director Erika Chavarria and CCC’s Board of Directors At Columbia Community Care, we remain steadfast in our mission to create authentic connections and community partnerships and to listen, and respond by providing resources and programs, while respecting the inherent dignity of every person. Since the Executive Orders issued in January, we have heard
Statement from Columbia Community Care on Recent Executive Orders Read More »
For Jessica Nichols, the mission of Columbia Community Care isn’t just about feeding families—it’s about giving back to her younger self.
From Hunger to Hope Read More »
The Hard Choices Facing Howard County’s ALICE Families Imagine getting a paycheck, only to find that after rent, bills, and groceries, there’s nothing left. Then, an unexpected cost appears—your child needs to see a doctor, or your car requires a repair so you can get to work. What do you do? Skip groceries to afford
Invisible Struggles: Supporting Working Families on the Edge Read More »
