A community refrigerator that offered free meals to those in need in Queens during the COVID-19 pandemic was vandalized.
The full-size refrigerator was installed in front of the state office of state senator Jessica Ramos in East Elmhurst in October, and was composed of dozens of volunteers to provide free meals to the poor.
But when the Post visited Saturday morning, there were containers of food and rice spilled on the floor, and the refrigerator doors and the back grid were “destroyed”, according to Ramos, who he called “an act of hatred. “
“It has been truly devastating to know that someone would do this for a real lifeline in our community,” Ramos told The Post. “At the height of the pandemic, we were the epicenter. Most of our neighbors here, specifically in this block and in this neighborhood, have received no economic stimulus and are not eligible for unemployment insurance. ”
Ramos said his office is trying to collect surveillance video footage to see what happened. So far, the NYPD has not been contacted, she said.
The fridge is supplied by volunteers with meals, fruits and vegetables donated by local companies throughout the day, she said, adding that “hundreds of people” use the fridge to feed their families.
Ramos said he is appealing to the community for donations so that food can continue to be distributed. “I am grateful to everyone for the outpouring of support and donations we received to replace the refrigerator and keep it in storage for several weeks,” she said.
“Many of our neighbors have already contacted each other,” she said. “We will replace the refrigerator, we will continue to keep it fully stocked. No one is going to mess with our neighbors. “