Visitors set new records Thursday for attendance, food and money donated to benefit the local food cupboard during the Ocean City Fishing Club’s first Open House at the Pier this year.
By the end of the two-hour open house, 1,750 people filled barrels with 290 lbs of non-perishable food and stuffed $2,433 into a huge jar, all headed to the Ocean City Food Cupboard.
That’s 730 more visitors, 70 lbs more food and $1558 more money collected than at last year’s first open house. In fact, the cash donated last night tops the amount given at last year’s two open houses combined by $190.
“I can’t help but feel a sense of pride in a community that steps up to help those less fortunate,” said Augie Conte III, OCFC president. “Even in towns like ours—Shore towns with so many summer residents and visitors—there are still people who need help to put food on the table. We’re glad to host these open houses to help stock the food cupboard.”
The club will host a second Open House at the Pier on Thursday, August 7, from 6-8 p.m., with the following day as a rain date, if needed. Visitors again are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or the make cash donations to help feed the needy. The open houses coincide with the city’s Thursday evening Family Night on the Boardwalk program.
At each open house, OCFC volunteers station themselves at various locations on the pier to answer questions and to help take photos for visitors with the Atlantic Ocean and Boardwalk as scenic backdrops.
The traffic onto the pier was steady and enthusiastic, with many expressing thanks to the club for welcoming them to tour the pier. The club has been holding open houses on the pier to benefit the Food Cupboard since its centennial celebration in 2013.
The OCFC, a private fishing club, has a strong commitment to community involvement through programs that include the open houses, the youth fishing tournament, which is scheduled for August 9, awarding scholarships and advocating for recreational fishing. Founded in 1913, it is the oldest, continually operating fishing club in the United States.
