Cape May community pitches in to help Coast Guard members during government shutdown

CAPE MAY, N.J. (WPVI) -- Community members in Cape May are rallying around Coast Guard members who missed their first paycheck Tuesday due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Jessica Manfre is the wife of a 17-year member of the Coast Guard. She is also the point person for a community-wide food bank effort some have dubbed 'Operation Shutdown.'

Some women from a First United Methodist of Cape May Courthouse dropped off $1,000 worth of ACME gift cards

The Cape May facility is a major training base. About 1,000 people continue to serve without pay, and hundreds have used the food bank.

Business from beachfront hotels to brewpubs to auto garages have been collecting food and offering discounts to those affectionately known as 'Coasties.'

"They have helped us with our commercial fishing families," said Jim O'Brien of O'Brien Auto Repair. "They get out at bed at night for our families when they need it, so we are here to help them when they need it."

The Morey Organization and Crest Savings Bank have teamed up to extend up to $1,500 credit to those in the Coast Guard during the shutdown.

"We are willing to do up to 75 percent of their bi-weekly pay with zero percent interest, and it will not be due until 30 days after their pay resumes," said Nancy Cleaver with Crest Savings Bank.

------

Send a News Tip to Action News

Learn More About 6abc Apps