A community refrigerator that provides free meals to those in need in Queens during the COVID-19 pandemic has been vandalized.
The large refrigerator was set up in front of the state office of State Senator Jessica Ramos of East Elmhurst in October and was equipped with 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 ground, and the refrigerator doors and the mains were “destroyed”, according to Ramos, who called it “an act of hatred. “
“It was really devastating to learn that someone would do this in a real lifeline in our community,” Ramos told The Post. “At the height of the pandemic, I was the epicenter. Most of our neighbors here, especially in this block and in this neighborhood, have not received any economic incentive and do not qualify for unemployment insurance. ”
Ramos said her office is trying to collect surveillance video to see what happened. So far, the NYPD has not been contacted, she said.
The refrigerator is supplied 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.
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 support and donations I received to replace the refrigerator and keep it stored for a few weeks,” she said.
“So many of our neighbors have already spread out,” she said. “We will replace the refrigerator, we will continue to keep it fully stocked. No one will mess with our neighbors. “