Tournament hauls in some 10K meals for locals in need

With a total prize purse in upwards of $3.8 million, the 2015 White Marlin Open is expected to draw thousands of participants and spectators to Ocean City during an already busy – and profitable – time of the year.

For the last six years, however, this rich event has also grown to serve a secondary purpose for struggling families on the Eastern Shore, providing 2,000 to 3,000 pounds of high protein food through the Maryland Food Bank.

“This event is really the only time we get protein fish donated,” Food Sourcing Manager Butch Langenfelder said. “The great thing about it is that product stays right here on the Eastern Shore.”

Langenfelder estimated 300 pounds of fillets were donated to the Food Bank on Monday, day one of the tournament, and distributed to Diakonia in West Ocean City. Other local groups should also receive donations this week.

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