Food donations surge following Rockaway Beach fridge theft

The Rockaway Beach community fridge was marooned on a jetty Aug. 28. Photo via Facebook

By David Brand

The theft of a refrigerator meant to feed Rockaway Beach residents in need may have been a blessing in disguise for a mutual aid network fighting food insecurity along the peninsula.

Donations to the Rockaway Mutual Aid Network have surged in the days since the group’s community fridge wound up on top of a jetty in the ocean — locals suspect that a few bitter residents dragged the appliance from Beach 91st Street to the rocks.

In a statement Sept. 4, seven days after the fridge made its way to the jetty, Rockaway Mutual Aid said new volunteers have stepped up to pitch in and contribute food for families and individuals affected by the COVID crisis. People have also provided two new refrigerators to provide something to eat for residents in need, no questions asked.

“Rockaway Mutual Aid has been touched by the overwhelming support the community has shown in the aftermath of the fridge’s removal,” RMA said. “Rockaway Mutual Aid’s mission has always been simple: to share food and assistance with any of our neighbors that may need it during this pandemic and beyond.”

The community fridge, one of several across Queens, faced criticism from some neighbors near the Beach 91st Street site. They said the appliance shouldn’t be left outside with the door attached and mocked the “save the world” mentality of the RMA members behind the effort.

Community fridge supporters said the opponents were really bothered by the possibility that low-income New Yorkers, particularly people of color, would visit the neighborhood to pick up a free meal. 

The food fight played out in Rockaway Beach Facebook groups, with the suspected theft only intensifying the back and forth. 

After the fridge ended up on the rocks, local elected officials sided with RMA and their supporters. 

“If we learned one thing about the pandemic it’s that food is essential,” said State Sen. Joseph Addabbo. “So to tamper with any kind of food accessibility program is problematic.”

Removing the fridge “must take a lot of frustration,” he added.

Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato predicted that the fridge-jacking would lead to a deeper community commitment to fighting food insecurity.

“We’re going to grow from this,” Pheffer Amato said Aug. 31. “Maybe folks didn’t understand what it does and what it means to other people. But we can help grow resources for the community.”