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A community refrigerator providing free meals to those in need in Queens during the COVID-19 pandemic has been vandalized.
The large fridge was installed outside Senator Jessica Ramos’ district office in East Elmhurst in October and was made up of dozens of volunteers to provide free meals to the poor.
But when The Post visited on Saturday morning, there were containers of food and spilled rice on the floor, and the refrigerator doors and the power grid in the back were “destroyed,” according to Ramos, who said. called it “an act of hate.” “
“It was really devastating to hear that someone would make this 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, especially on this block and in this neighborhood, have not received any economic stimulus and are not eligible for unemployment insurance.
Ramos said his office was trying to collect surveillance footage to see what happened. So far, the NYPD has not been contacted, she said.
The refrigerator is filled by volunteers with meals, fruits and vegetables donated by local businesses, throughout the day, she said, adding that “hundreds of people” use the refrigerator to feed their families. families.
Ramos said she is appealing to the community for donations, so food can continue to be distributed. “I thank everyone for the outpouring of support and donations we have received to replace the refrigerator and keep it stocked for several weeks to come,” she said.
“A lot of our neighbors have already reached out,” she said. “We’re going to replace the refrigerator, we’re going to continue to keep it fully stocked. No one is going to play with our neighbors.
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