In cooperation with other area churches, Nichols-Bethel UMC has formed the Odenton-Severn-Gambrills Christian Assistance Program to provide emergency assistance to needy people in the area.
     The Food Pantry for CAP is located at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Odenton.  Nichols-Bethel members donate staple food items to the Pantry by observing Sharing Sunday on the first Sunday each month.  Canned goods may be brought to the Church and left in the Narthex.  A monthly monetary donation is made by the Church to CAP to purchase needed supplies.  CAP has provided Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets to over three hundred families each year, for which Nichols-Bethel’s congregation designates Communion Love Offerings in November and December.
    The Clothes Closet is located at Nichols-Bethel.  Donations of clean, usable clothing and toys are always needed.  These items may be brought to the Church Monday - Friday.   Large items, such as furniture are also given out on an availability/need basis.  However, there is very little storage space for large items.
    The Clothes Closet and Food Pantry are staffed and open specific hours and in emergency situations. The operating hours of the Clothes Closet are Tuesdays, 9:00-11:30 AM. The Pantry is open Tuesdays 11:00 AM-1:00 PM and Thursdays 3:00-5:00 PM.  In addition to donations of food and clothing, volunteer staff are needed to keep these programs going.