The Shell Cottages invests in our community by partnering with local makers, vendors, and organizations that represent and protect the natural resources and residents of Cape May County. Below are some of the ways we try to make a difference and you can too.

A coffee blend for clean oceans 

We have partnered with local Cape May Roasters to create our Shell Cottage Coffee custom blend ground for drip coffee makers. Shell Cottage Coffee combines surfers' favorite Costa Rican coffee with just a bit of Espresso to really get you going. Since we want your vacation to get off to a good start, we provide each guest with a complimentary bag! We are happy to provide you with more coffee and will donate the $10 cost of each bag purchased to local beach clean-up projects.

GOOD DEEDS MARKET

Good Deeds Market is our local source for household products to enhance our guest experience in ways that are gentler on our environment! Together, we are continuing to explore more ways that we can be mindful of our impact on the earth. Stay tuned for more positive changes!

Visit their website here!

PLASTIC BAGS BANNED

New Jersey has banned single-use plastic bags, so we are providing two tote bags to each of our guests. Our bags are generously sized and printed on island by our friends at The Flying Fish Studio. ⁠Use them as shopping bags, beach bags, or extra bags to take home your Cape May treasures!
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Additional bags are available for purchase for $5 each, and that cost will be donated to local beach clean-up projects.⁠
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Thank you for partnering with us to help keep our home clean!⁠

Leftovers to those in need

Feeding America lists 11,560 people -- 12% of the population -- in Cape May County as food insecure. These are often the working poor, the people that wash the dishes in our restaurants, clean our hotels, manicure our lawns. The Cape May Community Food Closet verifies need and provides people with food twice a month. 

We will take any unopened non-perishable food that you would like to leave behind to the Food Closet. If you would like to shop with the Food Closet in mind, the most requested donations are pasta, cereal, toilet paper, and soap, but any donation is appreciated. Thank you!

WE BELIEVE IN PAYING PEOPLE LIVING WAGES

The Living Wage Pledge is our commitment to pay staff, cleaners, and property management fair wages. A living wage is the minimum income necessary for someone to meet their basic needs and participate in their community. One resource for calculating what real, living wage looks like in different states and by size of household can be found on MIT’s Living Wage Calculator page.

The team which supports our rental properties are key in helping us to provide fantastic stays to all of you. In order to take care of our team and their families, we have made the commitment to paying a living wage and hope to inspire others to do the same. We are all valuable members of this community.

When cleaners are paid a living wage, they’re better able to:

• Support themselves and their family

• Perform consistent, high-quality work

• Take time off to care for themselves or a family members.

• Feel the diginity & respect they deserve for taking on work that is critical to the success of our tourism economy.