Cape Coral fridge supporters rally for free pantry hit with violation

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Supporters of the Cape Coral Community Fridge are fighting a code violation issued earlier this month to the free pantry located off SE 47th Terrace at Lee County Plumbing and Supply. 

Community members came out to Cape Coral City Hall to make their voices heard. Dionne Lopez, who started the fridge at her shop in downtown Cape Coral, says the fridge has helped people for 6 years. Lopez says the violation appeared on her door earlier this month, noting the freezer, outdoor storage, refrigerator, litter and boxes outside.

WINK News reporter Bella Line reached out to the Cape Coral Caring Center to see whether it's something they would take on, but their operations manager told her they can't because of liability concerns.

Lopez says she doesn't understand why it's a problem now.

"I'm asking you to do this for the community, not for me. It's for the community and for, if you can go to bed at night knowing that there's somebody that's hungry out there because you took this away, shame on you," Lopez said. "If it went away, I'd be sad," Lopez said. "I'm the one that's using my money to help people. So I don't, I don't, I don't want to know that somebody went to bed hungry."

The City tells WINK News the violation recheck is scheduled for March 31. Officials say the code violation involves outdoor storage and site conditions at the property.

The City also says other properties in the area have received similar citations.

"The City supports community-based efforts to help residents in need and remains willing to work with the business owner on a solution that both serves the community and complies with City Code," said a spokesperson for the City of Cape Coral.

WINK News will continue to follow this story as it develops and bring you the latest.