By MADDY VITALE
When food shopping, an extra microwavable dinner or two or cans of juice may not seem like much added to the grocery list, but donating them for those in need will make that purchase very meaningful.
With that in mind, the Ocean City Board of Realtors (OCBOR) kicked off its 2022 Community Service Projects this month with the “Food Is Love, Share Some Love” winter food drive.
The OCBOR is collecting non-perishable food items, laundry and dish detergent, juice cans, as well as ShopRite and ACME gift cards. In addition, paper products and feminine hygiene products are also needed.
All of the items will be donated to the Ecumenical Food Cupboard in Ocean City to provide for local residents and families.
“We are off to a great start with a generous donation check of $500. Last year, we collected $1,020 in gift cards and checks,” Gloria Votta, chairwoman of Community Services for the Ocean City Board of Realtors, said Sunday of the food drive, now in its 12th year.
Votta, who has been involved with the food drive since it began and is also involved with the Ecumenical Council, noted that the community has once again come together to help others not so fortunate.
“There is a need, but I am finding that there is more of a need for individuals than families,” Votta said. “That is why we are asking for the dinners for one, the microwavable dinners for one. We get a lot of people who live in the rooming houses. They don’t have a stove.”
She added that the Ecumenical Food Cupboard does home deliveries for seniors in need of food.
“Nobody should ever go hungry. I know they have to fill out a form, but if they need an emergency food order, they could come get it,” Votta noted of the Food Cupboard.
Year after year, Votta said the realtors and others in the community come together to help those in need.
“I want to give a special thank you to everyone who has contributed in the past. We appreciate your generosity,” she said.
Donations may be dropped off at the following real estate offices:
Ocean City Board of Realtors, 405 22nd Street
Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach, 109 34th Street and 901 Simpson Ave.
RE/MAX at The Shore, 3301 Bay Ave.
Fox Real Estate, 894 Brighton by the Beach
Monihan Realty, 717 Battersea Rd. and 3201 Central Ave.
Long & Foster Real Estate, 14 East 9th Street
