Community Outreach Committee

The Community Outreach Committee (COC) advises the City Council on matters pertaining to human needs and resources in the community. These include, but are not limited to, mental health, drug abuse, poverty, human relations, senior citizens, youth activities, and services for the disabled.

The committee addresses some of the issues related to these areas, through a number of activities, which include:

1. Community Outreach Grants are awarded to individuals and organizations that provide needed and unique services to the community. See Grants Program below.

2. Honoring extraordinary deeds and service by Scouts and Scouters. See Popp Medal below.

3. Collecting food and other donations for the Bowie Food Pantry. See Food Drives below.

4. Helping the City with its Community Development Block Grant Program. See Programs and Services Available to Residents below.

5. Gathering and disseminating information on services available to the community.

6. Resource Guide - The committee has compiled a list of contact information for citizens seeking resources such as hotlines and support groups.

Grants Program:
For the past few years the Community Outreach Committee has been given $10,000 or more in the city budget, for the committee to award grants to groups or organizations that provide programs and/or services to meet the needs of Bowie residents. Information and grant applications are available. The second deadline for submission is October 2, 2009.

Food Drives

Community Outreach Committee Members collect food, toiletries, paper goods, baby needs, and school supplies at a variety of City events, to assist the Food Pantry in keeping their shelves stacked with items needed to assist community members going through rough times.

“Stuff the Van”
The COC and Food Pantry volunteers work, with Baysox mascot Louie’s assistance, to “stuff” the Baysox van with items needed by the Food Pantry:

Memorial Day Parade: with the assistance of Food Pantry Volunteers, and Baysox organization, with Mascot Louie, COC Members participate in the Parade. They also collect items for the Food Pantry alongside the Parade route, and with buckets for drop off of donated non-perishable food, at the judging stand.

Bowiefest: With Louie and Food Pantry volunteers, donations are accepted for the Food Pantry at the Community Outreach Committee booth, and the Baysox van.

Baysox Stadium: At a Friday game night in June each year, the COC collects donations for the Food Pantry, along with Food Pantry volunteers and Louie, prior to a game, and ask that people attending that evening bring something to donate.

Concerts:
The COC collects items for the Food Pantry at every concert during the Sunday Summer Concert series at Allen Pond Park.

Bowie City Hall and the Senior Center collections for the Food Pantry
Containers are available near the front desks at both facilities, for dropping off items for the Food Pantry. Community members are encouraged to drop off food and other supplies whenever they can at either location. The Committee delivers these to the Food Pantry on a regular basis.

Programs and Services Available to Residents
As a part of the City of Bowie’s Community Development Block Grant Strategic Plan, the Community Outreach Committee has conducted several workshops and cable television interviews to provide residents with information about services available to them. Subjects such as housing, energy conservation, services to residents with disabilities, senior citizens and those in need of assistance have been covered.

Resource Guide

The Committee has compiled this listing of services, resources, support groups and such - to provide contact information to residents.

See Guide.