Written by Maddy Vitale
The Ocean City Board of Realtors (OCBOR) has launched its “Food Is Love, Share Some Love” winter food drive to not only help those in need, but also benefit animals in shelters.
For the second year in a row, OCBOR has expanded its food drive to include donations to help animals at the Humane Society of Ocean City (HSOC). Donations through the board's Community Service Project are currently being collected through February 29th.
“This winter, share some love with families and animals in need. We are asking the families, friends, and neighbors of our Realtors to donate items for the residents of Ocean City and the Humane Society of Ocean City. ,” said Gloria Votta, OCBOR Community Services Committee Chair.
Votta also emphasized how grateful the board is to the community for its generosity each year.
Now in its 14th year, “The Food Is Love, Share Some Love” winter food drive collects nonperishable food, laundry, dish detergent, and ShopRite and Acme gift cards, which are donated to the Ecumenical Council for Food. It will be donated to the shelf. to feed local poor families.
The food pantry at St. Peter's United Methodist Church provides a wide variety of food and supplies to those in need year-round.
Votta, who has been in charge of the food drive since its inception, said it “feels good” to be able to help the community. He said the board was pleased to extend its endowment efforts, including HSOC, to a second year and would certainly do so in 2025.
HSOC Operations Manager Phil Bellucci said Friday that HSOC is grateful to OCBOR.
“We would like to thank the Ocean City Board of Realtors for their continued support of the work we do at HSOC and our mission to save lives and find forever homes for amazing animals. I am very grateful to you,” he said.
He added: “Many people don't even know that our Burn by the Bay exists, so this effort by OCBOR is just a way to collect donations of food, supplies and funds for the shelter. It also raises awareness of us and our cause.” To the Ocean City community and beyond. ”
As with all of the food and donation drives the board has participated in over the years, Botta said there will always be a need for non-perishable food.
However, she stressed that food donations for one meal are desperately needed this year as the number of singles in need has increased at the resort.
“There are a lot of single people, mostly older people, who could use cereal and other foods because they're in short supply,” Votta said.
A small jar of peanut butter and jelly or a single meal is also appreciated, she says.
“We always need more canned food for single servings. We always need more powdered milk,” Votta said. “That's something you can't find. And you also need a little jar of peanut butter or jelly or something like that.”
He also said that some of the needy people living in the city's boarding houses don't have stoves, so microwaveable meals are a good option when considering donating to food drives.
“We only have microwaves, so we ask for microwave-safe tableware. Hormel dinners are perfect for solo dining,” she added. “We need to think about things that don't need to be refrigerated and can be cooked in the microwave.”
Once the food drive is over, real estate agents gather to package and deliver all the items to the Ecumenical Council Food Shelf and Animal Shelter.
Donations for the animals at the shelter, located at 1 Shelter Road off Tennessee Avenue, include food, blankets and cleaning supplies for shelter employees.
Residents can drop off donations of non-perishable food and household items (or gift cards to local grocery stores) to the Ocean City Board of Realtors office at 405 22nd Street.
Here is a list of items in the Ecumenical Council's pantry:
Microwaveable Peanut Butter and Jelly 18-20 oz Container, Instant Mashed Potatoes, Chef Boyardee Beefaloni, Spaghetti with Meatballs, Ravioli, Canned Fruit 15 oz. cans, dry (powdered) milk, spaghetti or pasta, a small bottle of laundry detergent, a small bottle of Dawn dish soap, 18 to 20 ounces of cereal. box, shampoo, tissues, ShopRite or Acme gift card.
Below is a quick list of some items needed by the Humane Society of Ocean City.
Canned cat food, dog and cat treats, rabbit pellets, cat and dog beds, towels, blankets, paper towels, laundry detergent, dish detergent, Tractor Supply, PetSmart, or Chewy gift cards.
For more information, contact Vicki Heebner at 609-399-0128 or Vicki@ocbor.com.
