What is the blue structure across the street from Ricciardi Brothers paints on Springfield Avenue?

This afternoon I stopped by Ricciardi Brothers to pick out some paint samples and on my way back to the car I see this blue structure across the street that looks like a shed.  It seems to have electricity connected to it and it is surrounded by some plastic fence material.  What is this?

Is it the smallest garage in the world?


Is it a new phone charging station where I can plug in my phone in the rain/snow?


Is it the world's smallest parking garage?


Is it a refuge for handicapped people to park their wheelchairs and charge their phone?


I do not understand the concept of building a shed with electricity in the middle of Springfield Avenue.  Can someone explain?  I'm curious what my tax dollars are contributing to this time.


Well, if you'd'a paid attention to your surroundings, you would'a seen that the town owns a sub-compact that the building guy rides around in. The opening of the blue garage is a perfect fit for his car....and... since he is the building guy, he didn't need a variance to build the garage for his car.


drummerboy said:

dude.

xanax.

 Hey, I'm just asking a question about something in my community.  The people at Ricciardi Brothers didn't know either. Certainly, someone paints a bright blue structure in the middle of Springfield Avenue they want it to be noticed right?  Do you know what it is?


--- and it's purpose couldn't be too important as it hasn't been finished in several months.

and its ugly, too.


You people can be pretty sad.  "I don't understand, so I'd better mock".  It is going to be a food pantry for those who need it.  


DanDietrich said:

You people can be pretty sad.  "I don't understand, so I'd better mock".  It is going to be a food pantry for those who need it.  

 Really? That's awesome! I'm definitely in favor.


DanDietrich said:

You people can be pretty sad.  "I don't understand, so I'd better mock".  It is going to be a food pantry for those who need it.  

 What?  So where does the food go?  They are going to serve food out of the shed structure/garage?  Is it canned food?  Wouldn't the food spoil in the heat?  Are they thinking of just storing the food in the shed in the winter with the snow to keep it from spoiling?


The blue shed pictured above will house the Community Fridge, which is coming soon.  This is part of the town's initiative to combat food insecurity in our town by providing a source of fresh food to those in need.  It will function much like a little library but for fresh food needing refrigeration.  It will be stocked primarily by local community groups that are working to combat food insecurity in our community. 


ConcernedHighTaxPayer said:

DanDietrich said:

You people can be pretty sad.  "I don't understand, so I'd better mock".  It is going to be a food pantry for those who need it.  

 What?  So where does the food go?  They are going to serve food out of the shed structure/garage?  Is it canned food?  Wouldn't the food spoil in the heat?  Are they thinking of just storing the food in the shed in the winter with the snow to keep it from spoiling?

 You are exactly the type of person that made me take a personal vow to never serve on a committee unless I know there isn't one of you on it!


DanDietrich said:

You people can be pretty sad.  "I don't understand, so I'd better mock".  It is going to be a food pantry for those who need it.  

 We'll exxxxxccccccuuuuuuuuuuuse me.


DD and JC with the antidote.


joan_crystal said:

The blue shed pictured above will house the Community Fridge, which is coming soon.  This is part of the town's initiative to combat food insecurity in our town by providing a source of fresh food to those in need.  It will function much like a little library but for fresh food needing refrigeration.  It will be stocked primarily by local community groups that are working to combat food insecurity in our community. 

 I was not aware there was much food insecurity in Maplewood.  I'm not exactly sure how this is going to sound to many of you, but I'm going to ask the question anyway because I think it is an important one to consider as we approach election season.  

I have been noticing this type of Community Fridge concept in other communities, and to me it only highlights the failure of a community to provide for its people.  

Isn't this just a symbol of how badly politicians have let people down? Follow my logic here.  If your community is in such a poor condition that there are people basically starving in your community, doesn't that just highlight how badly the leadership in a community has let down their homeless, not so well off, and middle income to lower income class?

Unless this Community Fridge is constructed to help other, surrounding communities needing help, what we are basically saying is we acknowledge there are people in our community who are indigent who cannot provide for their families.  The first thought that pops into my head is where has the leadership been all this time and what have they been doing with their "power"?  

Of course, this could just be a left over delayed reaction to the need during the initial COVID-19 crisis and if that is the case, then that time has come and gone.  The leadership has missed their mark big time.  Those people needing help at that time have probably sought out the help of other communities, church based food pantries, soup kitchens, or they just probably engaged in other activity legal or non-legal by now to support themselves or their loved ones.

I am in disbelief that a community like Maplewood would put something out there like this and not consider how it will affect the community as a whole.  Property values, community perception, influx of outside community homeless, crime.  

How are we going to ensure people do not damage the structure or the refrigerator or the food.  How are we going to ensure people do not spoil the food? How are we going to ensure people do not fight over the food? How are we going to ensure people do not unplug the fridge and let the food spoil? There are so many unanswered questions.  This is what makes me wonder what the leadership does in this town.  Besides, it's not that big of a town, if they allow people to starve in this little town, imagine the damage they could do on the larger scale?

So when is this actually going to come together?  When is the political photo op with the ribbon cutting event?  I want to see how the politics manipulates this into a positive.


Ummm…the point of something like this would be to fill in the gaps when people have an emergency or short term need related to job loss etc. 

You are aware that there is a pandemic going on and many people lost jobs and/or even had costs directly related to covid illness or death.



berkeley said:

Ummm…the point of something like this would be to fill in the gaps when people have an emergency or short term need related to job loss etc. 

You are aware that there is a pandemic going on and many people lost jobs and/or even had costs directly related to covid illness or death.

 I see, and a shed with a fridge is supposed to solve all that?  Isn't this just more of that United Nations mentality.  You know when you ask someone at the United Nations why they have not accomplished any of the goals they set out to accomplish since the organization was established, they say, "Well trying something is better than not doing anything at all." No it's not.  Trying something that doesn't work and is poorly planned can make the problem worse.


ConcernedHighTaxPayer said:

berkeley said:

Ummm…the point of something like this would be to fill in the gaps when people have an emergency or short term need related to job loss etc. 

You are aware that there is a pandemic going on and many people lost jobs and/or even had costs directly related to covid illness or death.

 I see, and a shed with a fridge is supposed to solve all that?  Isn't this just more of that United Nations mentality.  You know when you ask someone at the United Nations why they have not accomplished any of the goals they set out to accomplish since the organization was established, they say, "Well trying something is better than not doing anything at all." No it's not.  Trying something that doesn't work and is poorly planned can make the problem worse.

 Like I a!ready said. Not on my committee!

A very wise person I know says if three people call you a horse's ****, go buy a bale of hay!


ConcernedHighTaxPayer said:

 I was not aware there was much food insecurity in Maplewood.  I'm not exactly sure how this is going to sound to many of you, but I'm going to ask the question anyway because I think it is an important one to consider as we approach election season.  

I have been noticing this type of Community Fridge concept in other communities, and to me it only highlights the failure of a community to provide for its people.  

Isn't this just a symbol of how badly politicians have let people down? Follow my logic here.  If your community is in such a poor condition that there are people basically starving in your community, doesn't that just highlight how badly the leadership in a community has let down their homeless, not so well off, and middle income to lower income class?

Unless this Community Fridge is constructed to help other, surrounding communities needing help, what we are basically saying is we acknowledge there are people in our community who are indigent who cannot provide for their families.  The first thought that pops into my head is where has the leadership been all this time and what have they been doing with their "power"?  

Of course, this could just be a left over delayed reaction to the need during the initial COVID-19 crisis and if that is the case, then that time has come and gone.  The leadership has missed their mark big time.  Those people needing help at that time have probably sought out the help of other communities, church based food pantries, soup kitchens, or they just probably engaged in other activity legal or non-legal by now to support themselves or their loved ones.

I am in disbelief that a community like Maplewood would put something out there like this and not consider how it will affect the community as a whole.  Property values, community perception, influx of outside community homeless, crime.  

How are we going to ensure people do not damage the structure or the refrigerator or the food.  How are we going to ensure people do not spoil the food? How are we going to ensure people do not fight over the food? How are we going to ensure people do not unplug the fridge and let the food spoil? There are so many unanswered questions.  This is what makes me wonder what the leadership does in this town.  Besides, it's not that big of a town, if they allow people to starve in this little town, imagine the damage they could do on the larger scale?

So when is this actually going to come together?  When is the political photo op with the ribbon cutting event?  I want to see how the politics manipulates this into a positive.

 Food insecurity is very real in our community and as stated above has only increased as a result of the pandemic.  If you wish to get an accurate dose of reality, take a look at the school district's statistics on the number of students enrolled in their free lunch program.  Consider how many of these students, thanks to Rent Party's Back Pack Pals program are able to eat over the weekend, when school is not in session.  Speak with the volunteers who run the food pantries at St. Josephs Church and Our Lady of Sorrows.  Ask the staff at SOMA Two Towns For All Ages what they are doing to combat food insecurity among our senior population.  Speak with the volunteers at the Rent Party Garden on the front lawn of the SO Elks Lodge about the fresh vegetables they grow to feed the hungry.  These are just some of the initiatives that are well known and visible.  There are others meeting needs on a more individual level.  Apart from the rent party garden and some community garden plots, all of the food programs deal with canned and boxed food that is non-perishable.  The Community Fridge would supplement this by providing greater access to fresh food.  Another advantage of such a program is that it is anonymous.  Those benefiting can get help without admitting they need it. Pride keeps a surprising number of people away from the more traditional programs for which they have to register.  Better yet, volunteer to work with one of the above mentioned programs  that work to combat food insecurity in our community.  This will give you first hand knowledge of the food insecurity needs of our community.


Ok. Accepting that food scarily is a problem for some of our residents, it will not be solved with a refrigerator on Springfield Ave.


empty the refrigerator and put a sign to refer people to social serv…. Better yet, put a desk for the social services person inside the shed.


ConcernedHighTaxPayer said:

joan_crystal said:

The blue shed pictured above will house the Community Fridge, which is coming soon.  This is part of the town's initiative to combat food insecurity in our town by providing a source of fresh food to those in need.  It will function much like a little library but for fresh food needing refrigeration.  It will be stocked primarily by local community groups that are working to combat food insecurity in our community. 

 I was not aware there was much food insecurity in Maplewood.  I'm not exactly sure how this is going to sound to many of you, but I'm going to ask the question anyway because I think it is an important one to consider as we approach election season.  

I have been noticing this type of Community Fridge concept in other communities, and to me it only highlights the failure of a community to provide for its people.  

Isn't this just a symbol of how badly politicians have let people down? Follow my logic here.  If your community is in such a poor condition that there are people basically starving in your community, doesn't that just highlight how badly the leadership in a community has let down their homeless, not so well off, and middle income to lower income class?

Unless this Community Fridge is constructed to help other, surrounding communities needing help, what we are basically saying is we acknowledge there are people in our community who are indigent who cannot provide for their families.  The first thought that pops into my head is where has the leadership been all this time and what have they been doing with their "power"?  

Of course, this could just be a left over delayed reaction to the need during the initial COVID-19 crisis and if that is the case, then that time has come and gone.  The leadership has missed their mark big time.  Those people needing help at that time have probably sought out the help of other communities, church based food pantries, soup kitchens, or they just probably engaged in other activity legal or non-legal by now to support themselves or their loved ones.

I am in disbelief that a community like Maplewood would put something out there like this and not consider how it will affect the community as a whole.  Property values, community perception, influx of outside community homeless, crime.  

How are we going to ensure people do not damage the structure or the refrigerator or the food.  How are we going to ensure people do not spoil the food? How are we going to ensure people do not fight over the food? How are we going to ensure people do not unplug the fridge and let the food spoil? There are so many unanswered questions.  This is what makes me wonder what the leadership does in this town.  Besides, it's not that big of a town, if they allow people to starve in this little town, imagine the damage they could do on the larger scale?

So when is this actually going to come together?  When is the political photo op with the ribbon cutting event?  I want to see how the politics manipulates this into a positive.

 this is just a remarkable post. a tower of inanities on top of inanities.


Formerlyjerseyjack said:

Ok. Accepting that food scarily is a problem for some of our residents, it will not be solved with a refrigerator on Springfield Ave.


empty the refrigerator and put a sign to refer people to social serv…. Better yet, put a desk for the social services person inside the shed.

 why does it have to "solve" the whole problem? It's supposed to help people, that's all.


drummerboy said:

 why does it have to "solve" the whole problem? It's supposed to help people, that's all.

 So let's riddle this. Guy goes to the blue shed to grab a couple'a hamburgers to cook back home. He can't afford a hamburger but we're supposed to figure that he can afford rent, heat, phone, electricity, clothes.... 

he can afford all that but on October 30th, he's short just $5.00 to buy a pound of hamburger meat and a can of beans.

Are you $hittin' me?

Yeah, the refrig is better than nothing but is that all we are about? Better than nothing?


Help me with some spelling here-- is it troll  or trowl.


Formerlyjerseyjack said:

drummerboy said:

 why does it have to "solve" the whole problem? It's supposed to help people, that's all.

 So let's riddle this. Guy goes to the blue shed to grab a couple'a hamburgers to cook back home. He can't afford a hamburger but we're supposed to figure that he can afford rent, heat, phone, electricity, clothes.... 

he can afford all that but on October 30th, he's short just $5.00 to buy a pound of hamburger meat and a can of beans.

Are you $hittin' me?

Yeah, the refrig is better than nothing but is that all we are about? Better than nothing?

 what makes you think they can afford heat, rent, phone, etc? Maybe he's behind on all of those things, struggling to figure out which to pay this month.

I guess you think food pantries in general are just dumb ideas?

I really don't get where you're coming from on this.


There has been an increase in lines at food pantries during the past 18 months.

There was also a significant retirement/departure from the workforce by social workers due to COVID risks and childcare challenges. They are more short-staffed than usual.

There was also a housing shortage (along with a closing of shelters), an increase in need for mental health and substance use disorder services (service providers have long waitlists, and the needs are far from met)... etc.

Any little bit helps.


drummerboy said:

 what makes you think they can afford heat, rent, phone, etc? Maybe he's behind on all of those things, struggling to figure out which to pay this month.

I guess you think food pantries in general are just dumb ideas?

I really don't get where you're coming from on this.

Agreed. In the hierarchy of needs a lot of people put rent and heat above paying for food or medicine. And if you are trying to find a job you need a phone. 

I don't find it strange that someone might have a home and a phone but doesn't have enough funds to put adequate food on the table. 

Some of the comments here seem pretty callous IMHO. 


drummerboy said:

what makes you think they can afford heat, rent, phone, etc?

According to what Formerlyjerseyjack wrote (with the implied rhetorical question of “we’re supposed to figure”), he doesn’t.

His point, as I took it, was that when people can’t afford heat, rent, phone, etc., a Community Fridge doesn’t just fail to “‘solve’ the whole problem.” It doesn’t solve nearly enough of it.


ConcernedHighTaxPayer said:

You know when you ask someone at the United Nations why they have not accomplished any of the goals they set out to accomplish since the organization was established, they say, "Well trying something is better than not doing anything at all."

I’ve never had an opportunity to ask anyone at the U.N. about anything. (Though the goal of no World War III comes to mind.) I also haven’t “spoken to many doctors” about Covid-19. The breadth of your contacts is remarkable. Shame on the Maplewood DPW for missing its chance to join them.


joan_crystal said:

 Food insecurity is very real in our community and as stated above has only increased as a result of the pandemic.  If you wish to get an accurate dose of reality, take a look at the school district's statistics on the number of students enrolled in their free lunch program.  Consider how many of these students, thanks to Rent Party's Back Pack Pals program are able to eat over the weekend, when school is not in session.  Speak with the volunteers who run the food pantries at St. Josephs Church and Our Lady of Sorrows.  Ask the staff at SOMA Two Towns For All Ages what they are doing to combat food insecurity among our senior population.  Speak with the volunteers at the Rent Party Garden on the front lawn of the SO Elks Lodge about the fresh vegetables they grow to feed the hungry.  These are just some of the initiatives that are well known and visible.  There are others meeting needs on a more individual level.  Apart from the rent party garden and some community garden plots, all of the food programs deal with canned and boxed food that is non-perishable.  The Community Fridge would supplement this by providing greater access to fresh food.  Another advantage of such a program is that it is anonymous.  Those benefiting can get help without admitting they need it. Pride keeps a surprising number of people away from the more traditional programs for which they have to register.  Better yet, volunteer to work with one of the above mentioned programs  that work to combat food insecurity in our community.  This will give you first hand knowledge of the food insecurity needs of our community.

 "Those benefiting can get help without admitting they need it."

I thought Maplewood Township was a "Stigma Free Township" like the signs on the street say.  I think the bigger problem here is that there are people who make those in need feel like there is some kind of dysfunction with food insecurity.  Perhaps the Township's high taxes and overall elitist views contribute to the stigma.  Wouldn't it be easier for a wealthy community to contribute some of its resources in the way of additional affordable housing and perhaps even programs to teach people how to avoid becoming destitute?  We certainly have enough "know it alls" in this community with magic potions and plentiful time during the day to handle such a supposed crisis.  What do we have a dozen homeless people in this community?  I've done my fair share of soup kitchens and contributions to homeless and the indigent.  The thing you learn when you do this kind of work is that you can give free things to people, but you will never end the cycle of poverty until you tackle the real problem which is providing real, effective guidance on how to live on their own and make them a complete and self sustained human.  Giving out free stuff is not the answer.  That's just phony maroney politician chest pounding that never resolves anything and only comes up every 4 years or so when election time rolls around.


ConcernedHighTaxPayer said:

joan_crystal said:

 Food insecurity is very real in our community and as stated above has only increased as a result of the pandemic.  If you wish to get an accurate dose of reality, take a look at the school district's statistics on the number of students enrolled in their free lunch program.  Consider how many of these students, thanks to Rent Party's Back Pack Pals program are able to eat over the weekend, when school is not in session.  Speak with the volunteers who run the food pantries at St. Josephs Church and Our Lady of Sorrows.  Ask the staff at SOMA Two Towns For All Ages what they are doing to combat food insecurity among our senior population.  Speak with the volunteers at the Rent Party Garden on the front lawn of the SO Elks Lodge about the fresh vegetables they grow to feed the hungry.  These are just some of the initiatives that are well known and visible.  There are others meeting needs on a more individual level.  Apart from the rent party garden and some community garden plots, all of the food programs deal with canned and boxed food that is non-perishable.  The Community Fridge would supplement this by providing greater access to fresh food.  Another advantage of such a program is that it is anonymous.  Those benefiting can get help without admitting they need it. Pride keeps a surprising number of people away from the more traditional programs for which they have to register.  Better yet, volunteer to work with one of the above mentioned programs  that work to combat food insecurity in our community.  This will give you first hand knowledge of the food insecurity needs of our community.

 "Those benefiting can get help without admitting they need it."

I thought Maplewood Township was a "Stigma Free Township" like the signs on the street say.  I think the bigger problem here is that there are people who make those in need feel like there is some kind of dysfunction with food insecurity.  Perhaps the Township's high taxes and overall elitist views contribute to the stigma.  Wouldn't it be easier for a wealthy community to contribute some of its resources in the way of additional affordable housing and perhaps even programs to teach people how to avoid becoming destitute?  We certainly have enough "know it alls" in this community with magic potions and plentiful time during the day to handle such a supposed crisis.  What do we have a dozen homeless people in this community?  I've done my fair share of soup kitchens and contributions to homeless and the indigent.  The thing you learn when you do this kind of work is that you can give free things to people, but you will never end the cycle of poverty until you tackle the real problem which is providing real, effective guidance on how to live on their own and make them a complete and self sustained human.  Giving out free stuff is not the answer.  That's just phony maroney politician chest pounding that never resolves anything and only comes up every 4 years or so when election time rolls around.

 just a quick FYI, "stigma free" refers specifically to how people with mental health issues are treated.  It doesn't take much intellectual heft or sophistication to google a term so one doesn't use it ignorantly.


A community refrigerator isn't meant to "solve" anything, or to be a long-term solution. Especially in these difficult times, even people who generally are able support themselves and their families might find themselves a little short of cash or resources occasionally, thus food-insecure. A community refrig helps people with a short-term need-- no need to "educate" them, register them for a permanent program, use otherwise limited resources for a short-term need. There are other local programs that aim to help with more extensive needs.


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