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The Cape May – Lewes Ferry’s (CMLF) Food and Retail team recently donated a truckload of food supplies to the Gleaning Center Food Pantry at Seashore Community Church of the Nazarene, in Erma.
The provisions included a variety of items – such as frozen foods, canned goods, bottled beverages, as well as individually wrapped packaged items, such as soup, cereal, oatmeal, crackers and cakes.
“Our ferry family feels it’s important to give back to our neighbors and local communities when we have an opportunity to do so,” said Heath Gehrke, director of Ferry Operations. “I want to thank Shaun O’Brien and his food and retail team for developing and coordinating this effort. We’ll get through these trying times together.”
“What a blessing,” said Pastor Tim West, of the Seashore Community Church of the Nazarene. “The ferry’s donation is an example of the community working in unity and allowing us all to better serve the needs of Lower Township together.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cape May – Lewes Ferry food service operations, both on the vessels and inside the terminal, have been shuttered since March 18. The ferry’s food operation had many products in stock that wouldn’t be used for the foreseeable future. Instead of returning the items for credit, the ferry’s Food and Retail team coordinated with its suppliers to donate the food provisions locally.
Before the COVID -19 outbreak, the pantry was serving approximately 10-15 families each day. In the past few weeks, the demand has increased nearly three-fold.
A list of items needed at the pantry will be posted on their web site, www.sccnaz.com. For those interested in donating food items to the pantry, please contact the church office in advance by calling (609) 886-6196.
