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, substance use disorder, poverty, human relations, senior citizens, youth activities, and services for the disabled.
The committee addresses some of these issues through initiatives such as year-round food drives, outreach grants for programs that benefit community residents, the Popp Award for scouting leaders, and video programming on Bowie’s television station about local resources within the community.
As a strong supporter of the Bowie Food Pantry, the committee works jointly with the pantry to publicize the ongoing need and to collect donations at the Sunday evening concerts at Allen Pond during the summer months as well as Bowie Memorial Day Parade, Bowiefest, the International Festival, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Additionally food donations are gathered every week from collection sites at the Bowie Senior Center, the Bowie Gym, and the Kenhill Center and delivered to the pantry. The committee also works to publicize the need for food year round with articles in the Bowie Spotlight.
To help honor residents' contributions to the community, the committee also reviews nominations for individuals considered for inclusion in the City’s Hall of Honor and makes recommendations to the City Council.