PACK THE CRATE: How One OCHS Sophomore is Turning Neighborhood Connection into a Summer Food Drive
This summer, you may be asked to accept a simple wooden crate on your doorstep in Ocean City. It won’t come from a delivery truck, and it won’t contain an online shopping order. Instead, it will arrive empty, passed hand-to-hand from one neighbor to the next, carrying a challenge to help feed the local community.
It is all part of “Pack the Crate,” a new summer-long initiative launched by Caroline Bickings, a 16-year-old Ocean City High School sophomore. The goal is simple but powerful: engage local neighbors to directly support the feeding ministries at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church.
A Chain Reaction of Giving
The concept is designed to be a self-sustaining chain reaction. A physical, empty crate is delivered to a local family in one of five initial Ocean City neighborhoods: The Gardens, The Riviera, Baylandings, Merion Park, and Ocean City Homes.
The family that accepts the crate fills it with non-perishable food items. The donations can come straight from their own pantry, be purchased at the store, or even follow a creative theme. Once the crate is full, the items are bagged and delivered to St. Peter’s @ 8th & Central Ave. The participating family then signs the crate itself, passes it along to another family in their neighborhood, and the process repeats.
The idea first sparked from a similar program called “Your Place at the Table,” run through a church in Mullica Hill, NJ. For Caroline, bringing a version of it to Ocean City was a deeply personal mission.
“I look forward to how this small idea will grow into a self-sufficient project that supports the local feeding ministry.” Caroline says. “It’s a way for Ocean City residents to demonstrate their generosity. My goal is to provide food for the St Peter’s feeding ministry so they can continue to do what they do, and possibly expand. I am young and learning so any feedback is greatly appreciated!”
Honoring a Mentor
The drive directly supports St. Peter’s Feeding Ministries, which serves as a vital lifeline for many in the area. Run by Kathy Thompson, the ministry provides a monthly community lunch, groceries, Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, and dedicated food delivery for shut-ins, elderly residents, and post-surgery patients.
For Caroline, Kathy is more than just a church leader; she was Caroline’s mentor for her Confirmation at St. Peter’s. Launching “Pack the Crate” was the perfect way to support her mentor’s tireless work while tackling local food insecurity.
To kick things off, the Bickings family packed the very first crate with a “Condiment Crazy” theme, packing it to the brim with ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce and other condiments. Future participants are encouraged to get creative with their own themes, or simply provide the everyday pantry staples that local families rely on.
Balancing It All
For those who know Caroline, it is no surprise she is taking on a project of this scale. As a sophomore at OCHS, she maintains a staggering 5.2 GPA while taking all honors and Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
She is a heavily involved leader on campus, serving as a member of the Sophomore Class Council, the recording secretary on the Executive Board Student Council, and a member of the OCHS Classics (Latin) Club. When she isn’t studying, she is a standout athlete, playing lacrosse and field hockey for the Red Raiders—as well as competing on the Spirit USA Club Field Hockey team—with hopes of playing field hockey at the collegiate level.
And if that weren’t enough, you can also find her working hard this summer at The Promenade Food Court on the Ocean City boardwalk.
How to Participate
The inaugural “Pack the Crate” drive is officially underway and will run through the heart of the summer season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
If a crate arrives in your neighborhood, residents are encouraged to welcome it, fill it, sign it, and keep the chain moving. It is a small action that, when multiplied across Ocean City’s tight-knit neighborhoods, will make a massive difference for Kathy, St. Peter’s Church, and the many local individuals and families receiving the donations.
