O.C. Home Bank Foundation Helps Feed Needy

As the nation’s economy continues to struggle, the unemployment rate remains high, making it more and more difficult for families to afford the rising cost of groceries and other necessities.

With the help of a grant from the Ocean City Home Charitable Foundation, two area food banks that have experienced a larger demand for assistance will have additional funds to help those in need.

The Atlantic Cape Family Support Organization will use its donation to supplement the supplies received from the State of New Jersey for its food bank, as well as to provide books and snacks to the parents and children who are taking part in the organization’s screening process. 

“In the past, we would see an average of 50 families per month, but we are now seeing approximately 450 per month,” said Andrea Burleigh, executive director of the Atlantic Cape Family Support Organization.  “Without the help of organizations like the Ocean City Home Charitable Foundation, we would not have the resources to meet this increased need.”

The Ocean City Home Charitable Foundation also presented a grant to the Ocean City Ecumenical Council, which operates a Food Cupboard providing an emergency supply of food to needy residents of Ocean City and a Clothes Closet donating free clothing to those in need. 

“Last year, we were able to help more than 1,600 clients,” said Elaine Wilson, president of the Ocean City Ecumenical Council, “and this donation will allow us to continue providing these necessities to our neighbors.”

The grants awarded to the Atlantic Cape Family Support Organization and the Ocean City Ecumenical Council were two of 20 grants presented to area nonprofit organizations at the Ocean City Home Charitable Foundation’s awards reception in July 2012.  The Foundation presented a total of $50,000 in grants at the reception, bringing the organization’s seven-year donation total to more than $740,000.

The Ocean City Home Charitable Foundation was formed during Ocean Shore Holding Company's Initial Public Offering in December of 2004.  A combination of cash and Ocean Shore Holding Company stock totaling 2 million dollars was contributed to the foundation to provide it with an endowment to provide funding to support charitable causes within the Bank's market areas and neighboring communities. This support includes grants for community development, housing assistance, scholarships, local education, not-for-profit medical facilities, not-for-profit community groups, cultural organizations and similar types of organizations or projects designed to improve the quality of life within the bank's local community. 

— News release from Ocean City Home Bank