IN CALIFORNIA AND MINNESOTA THROUGH E-BAY. >> A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN PICK UP FREE FOOD IN CAPE CORAL MIGHT BE SHUT DOWN AFTER GETTING A CODE VIOLATION. THIS COMMUNITY REFRIGERATOR IS IN FRONT OF THAT LAKE COUNTY, PLUMBING AND SUPPLY ALONG SOUTHEAST 47 TERRACE. >> OF NEWS REPORTER KYLE SCHMIDT IS TALKING TO THE OWNER. POLICE FIGHTING TO KEEP IT GOING. >> I’M FAMILY TO THIS CITY. AND WHAT I SEE IN MY FAMILY VERY DISHEARTENING. MY FAMILY. IT’S NOT MY FAMILY ANYMORE. >> DIA, THOUGH, PEZ IS DEVASTATED BUT WILL NOT GIVE UP AFTER SHE WAS SENT A NOTICE FROM THE CITY OF CAPE CORAL THAT THE COMMUNITY FRIDGE OUTSIDE LEE COUNTY PLUMBING SUPPLY ON SOUTHEAST 47 TERRACE MUST BE INSIDE. >> WE’RE THROWING AWAY. THIS ISN’T GOING AWAY. PEOPLE NEED HELP. AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE SOMETHING AWAY FROM PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY NEED FOOD IN THEIR BELLIES. MANY COME TO HER COMMUNITY FRIDGE. I WAS HOMELESS IN THE STREETS 10, 15 YEARS AGO AND HAD THIS FRIDGE EXISTED. I WANT TO BRING IN A MUCH BETTER SITUATION HIGH. CHARLIE, GIVEN EARLY AND SO SORRY IT’S OKAY TO HE’S THE SHE’S A WONDERFUL PERSON. IT’S A BIG HELP BECAUSE THERE COULD BE A WEEK GOING BY WORD FUNDS THERE. WINDS ARE REALLY TIGHT JUST IN GENERAL. THE CITY SAID IN AN EMAIL TO GULF COAST SAYS THAT THIS CODE VIOLATION IS NOT PROHIBIT ANY COMMUNITY GIVING. >> BUT TO ENSURE THAT ALL PROPERTIES REMAIN SAFE, SANITARY AND COMPLIANCE WITH CITY CODE, THEN YOU GET THAT PHONE CALL. HEY, YOU I WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE MY FAMILY A MEAL. LAST NIGHT WE WERE ABLE TO EAT. >> AND THAT’S WHAT KEEPS ME GOING. SHE’S VOWING TO FIGHT BRIDGE. THE CITY HAS GIVEN HER 5 DAYS TO DISPOSE. THE FRIDGE. >> AND OTHER ITEMS CA

Dionne Lopez, owner of Lee County Plumbing and Supply in Cape Coral, is determined to keep her community fridge despite receiving a city notice demanding its removal or relocation due to code violations.”I’m family to this city, and what I see in my family is very disheartening. My family is not my family anymore,” Lopez said, expressing her devastation over the situation.The city of Cape Coral has issued a notice stating that the community fridge outside her business at 532 SE 47th Terrace must be moved inside or thrown away. Lopez is determined to fight back, saying, “This isn’t going away. People need help, and I’m not going to take something away from people that actually need food in their bellies.”Many residents have benefited from the community fridge and don’t understand the notice. “I feel insulted that our city would do this to this wonderful community fridge and the policy needs to change and they need to change, like, yesterday,” said Sean Hartman, Cape Coral resident.”She’s the greatest. She is a wonderful person.” Charlie Ellegood, another Cape Coral resident, said, praising Lopez. “It’s a big help because there could be a week can go by a funds are very tight in general.”The city explained in an email to Gulf Coast News that the code violation notice is not intended to prohibit community giving but to ensure properties remain safe, sanitary, and compliant with city code.Lopez remains motivated by the impact of her efforts, saying, “You get that phone call. Hey, because of you, I was able to provide my family a meal last night. We were able to eat, and that’s what keeps me going.”The city has given Lopez five days to dispose of the fridge and other items, but she is vowing to fight to keep the fridge.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Dionne Lopez, owner of Lee County Plumbing and Supply in Cape Coral, is determined to keep her community fridge despite receiving a city notice demanding its removal or relocation due to code violations.

“I’m family to this city, and what I see in my family is very disheartening. My family is not my family anymore,” Lopez said, expressing her devastation over the situation.

The city of Cape Coral has issued a notice stating that the community fridge outside her business at 532 SE 47th Terrace must be moved inside or thrown away. Lopez is determined to fight back, saying, “This isn’t going away. People need help, and I’m not going to take something away from people that actually need food in their bellies.”

Many residents have benefited from the community fridge and don’t understand the notice.

“I feel insulted that our city would do this to this wonderful community fridge and the policy needs to change and they need to change, like, yesterday,” said Sean Hartman, Cape Coral resident.

“She’s the greatest. She is a wonderful person.” Charlie Ellegood, another Cape Coral resident, said, praising Lopez. “It’s a big help because there could be a week can go by a funds are very tight in general.”

The city explained in an email to Gulf Coast News that the code violation notice is not intended to prohibit community giving but to ensure properties remain safe, sanitary, and compliant with city code.

Lopez remains motivated by the impact of her efforts, saying, “You get that phone call. Hey, because of you, I was able to provide my family a meal last night. We were able to eat, and that’s what keeps me going.”

The city has given Lopez five days to dispose of the fridge and other items, but she is vowing to fight to keep the fridge.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.