PHOENIX — St. Vincent de Paul is asking Arizonans for help after its 240,000 cubic-foot walk-in refrigerator broke down Tuesday as Phoenix hit its hottest temperature of the year so far.
According to the nonprofit organization, the fridge kicked into overdrive due to the extreme heat this weekend, causing the fridge's compressor to blow out.
St. Vincent de Paul has five charitable dining rooms and serves about 4,000 meals every day to Arizona's hungry, according to its website. Without a fridge to keep food fresh, the organization is canceling its usual bi-weekly pickups of thousands of pounds of fresh produce, eggs, and dairy products.
To ensure that no food is wasted, St. Vincent de Paul said it will be handing out produce and dairy products to families during Wednesday evening's dinner service at the family dining room near 7th Avenue and Watkins Road in Phoenix.
St. Vincent de Paul is asking for donations to replace the freezer’s compressor, an estimated $6,000 repair. To make a donation, please visit the St. Vincent de Paul website.