Community members help raise thousands for food pantry

OCEAN CITY, Md. – In Ocean City, people in the community teamed up to help raise more than $2,000 for the St. Paul’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church.

The fundraising was made possible by Bob Banach the founder of Ocean City Cool as well as the family of 72 Smitty Creations.

We’re told the money will go specifically towards the church’s food pantry Shepherd’s Crook.

Members of the church say the pantry is critical for not only the homeless but also J-1 students as well as people impacted by the pandemic. So, donations are important for the community.

“There’s no way that the budget of St. Paul’s By-the-Sea itself is able to support the food pantry on its own,” said Rev. Matthew Justin D’Amario at the St. Paul’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church.

“We rely on volunteers from seven different congregations as well as outside and we also rely really heavily on outside donations,” said Justin D’Amario.

Ocean City Cool is also planning on raising money for the Ocean City Life-Saving Museum to help them with their expansion.