Samantha Kurtz-Seif, director of Social Services for Ocean City, stands beside shelves stacked with food.
By MADDY VITALE
The Ocean City Division of Social Services offers a not-too-well-known, but certainly needed, supplementary food pantry for low-income Ocean City residents.
The food pantry is stocked with non-perishable foods, culturally diverse food, and personal care items and is available for those who qualify, according to Samantha Kurtz-Seif, director of Social Services for Ocean City.
The pantry, located in the Public Safety Building, is made possible through a $40,000 federal grant and can really make a difference to those who need a little assistance, explained Kurtz-Seif.
She noted that a lot of people were unaware of the pantry until recently.
“Labor Day weekend is coming up and soon kids will be going back to school. I want to let families know that we are here for them,” she said.
Kurtz-Seif emphasized that the program is meant to supplement the more extensive food assistance programs, including the food pantry at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Ocean City and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.
She added that there are plenty of items available in the Ocean City Social Services pantry for those who need assistance.
“We have chicken and tuna in cans, pasta, canned vegetables, peanut butter and jelly. We have many staples,” she said.
In addition to food, there are personal care items typically not provided through the SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.)
Toiletries and personal care items are also available.
Kurtz-Seif said being able to offer personal care items is so important.
“That really is the big thing to people because SNAP benefits don’t supply those items,” she pointed out. "Some of the items available at the pantry are toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, lotion, Vaseline and first aid kits, soaps and baby wipes and diapers."
And while many people may not know it, Kurtz-Seif said there are people in Ocean City who definitely need the help.
The program is funded by a HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), according to a city news release.
“There is a lot of need in Ocean City that people aren’t aware of because it is not part of their everyday life,” Kurtz-Seif said. “The city was really fortunate because we received a Community Development Block Grant, and the fund was specifically targeted to the after-effects of the COVID 19 pandemic.”
Eligible residents may visit the Division of Social Services office to apply and receive a month’s supply of food. Applicants must be residents of Ocean City and provide proof of residency.
The applicants will be required to complete the CDGB self-certification form with the help of social services staff.
As director of social services for the city, Kurtz-Seif sees that people are still struggling to make ends meet even after the height of the pandemic, likely due to inflation, high gas prices and other things.
“We are still seeing people who have reduced job hours, or they are laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic and they didn’t return to work yet,” she said.
Since May, Kurtz-Seif has seen predominantly single males coming in for the supplemental foods and personal items.
“Most of the people who come into the food pantry tend to be single males and most are seasonal workers who work up on the Boardwalk," she said. "This is meant to supplement them. I see a lot of older single men. They are getting Social Security, but it just isn’t enough.”
Bins are filled with items for people who need some supplemental assistance.
