By MADDY VITALE
Rising food prices throughout the country that doesn’t seem to stop the giving nature of organizations, businesses and residents in Sea Isle City, who continue to donate food and funds to help stock local food cupboards to help those in need.
Pastor Melissa Doyle-Waid of the Sea Isle City United Methodist Church recognized the Women’s Civic Club of Sea Isle City on the church’s Facebook page Sunday, for a $2,000 donation the organization gave to the church’s Food Cupboard.
“A huge thank you to the Women’s Civic Club!” Pastor Doyle-Waid said in the posting. “These amazing women raised and donated $2,000 to the Food Cupboard to help us stand in the gap with those struggling with food insecurity. God bless you ladies. Thank you very much!”
She also said in an interview Sunday that she was so thankful for the donation to the cupboard and that she was amazed that the Women’s Civic Club, which has just around 25 members, is able to raise so much money to help local charities.
Doyle-Waid noted that the fact organizations and members of the community keep on giving is a testament to the community. “Sea Isle always comes through. It is kind of crazy how generous they are. Sea Isle always gives. I think Sea Isle is just one of the most generous communities I have ever had the privilege to serve in.”
The pantry at United Methodist Church is part of the Cape May County food bank network, so it serves people throughout the county, not just in Sea Isle. A room inside the church at 4102 Central Ave. has been converted into a pantry offering free food.
Women’s Civic Club President Lyn Long said the club was delighted to donate to the church’s food pantry.
She noted that Pastor Melissa Doyle-Waid is one of five charity representatives who were honored at the Women’s Civic Club of Sea Isle City at a luncheon at the Oar House Pub in Sea Isle on Friday, Dec. 2.
“The Civic Club proudly gives to specified charities every December. It is part of the Civic Club’s mission to give and help those in need,” Long said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to be included in giving to others and being a part of the charities’ missions.”
The club sponsors a fundraiser in September and also gives donations weekly to then be able to give to charities, Long said.
Like the Women’s Civic Club, the VFW Post 1963 and the Post 1963 Auxiliary gave sizable donations this year. AARP Chapter 710 of Sea Isle City also donated funds as did the Sea Isle City Garden Club.
There was also an anonymous donor.
“People have been giving. We received 150 pounds of food from a man at the VFW. He doesn’t want anyone to know who he is,” Doyle-Waid explained.
The Food Cupboard at the United Methodist Church is well stocked, thanks to the generosity of the community, she said.
And for those who need a hand up over the holidays, and all times of the year, Doyle-Waid stressed that she and the community are there to help.
“We will do a distribution next week and then we will go shopping and do a big food distribution and regular pickups,” Doyle-Waid explained. “I tell people all of the time how great the community is. We live in a world that feels hopeless sometimes. But there is hope, love and joy shared in Sea Isle, and I love that.”
For more information about the Sea Isle City United Methodist Church and its Food Cupboard visit https://seaislemethodist.org/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedMethodistChurchOfSeaIsleCity
