Ocean City Police and Ecumenical Council Partner for ‘Faith & Blue’ Food Drive This Sunday October 11th

As the Ocean City prepares for fall and the approaching holidays, the Ocean City Police Department will partner with the Ocean City Ecumenical Council this Sunday, Oct. 11, to help ensure local families don’t go hungry.

As part of the national Faith & Blue Weekend initiative, the local effort will gather non-perishable food, household supplies, and grocery store gift cards for the Ocean City Ecumenical Food Cupboard.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., OCPD officers will be stationed outside both ACME Markets on the island:

• Downtown: 800 West Avenue
• Uptown/Midtown: 3428 Simpson Avenue

Police pickup trucks will be parked outside both stores, ready to collect donations. As shoppers head inside, officers will be there to hand out lists of high-need items, making it easy to pick up a few extra staples along with their weekly groceries.

At the end of the drive, officers will collect the donations and deliver them directly to the Ecumenical Food Cupboard, located on the east side of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church at 8th Street and Central Avenue.

Community Unity in Action

National Faith & Blue Weekend was created to strengthen relationships between law enforcement agencies and local communities through faith-based partnerships. Departments nationwide are hosting events tailored to their hometowns. Here in Ocean City, the focus is on looking out for neighbors in need.

The Ocean City Ecumenical Council operates the local Food Cupboard and Clothes Closet, offering year-round support to residents throughout the island and nearby communities. Demand increases significantly as the holidays near, making community food drives like Sunday’s vital to keeping pantry staples on the shelves.

How to Help

Whether you’re making your usual Sunday grocery run or stopping by to donate canned goods, visit either ACME location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to meet the officers and drop off your donation in the truck bed. Non-perishable canned and boxed foods, paper goods, household cleaning supplies, and supermarket gift cards are all welcome.

For more information on the Ocean City Ecumenical Council and their ongoing community programs, visit local faith partner hubs or reach out to the Food Cupboard at St. Peter’s Church.

Event Quick Glance:

• Event: Faith & Blue Weekend Food Drive
• Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Drop-off Locations:
  • ACME (800 West Ave)
  • ACME (3428 Simpson Ave)
• Benefiting: Ocean City Ecumenical Food Cupboard (8th & Central Ave)