Storm Whips Up Acts Of Kindness In Northeast

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

This week's violent storm along the East Coast has left death, destruction and a long recovery ahead. But it also whipped up acts of kindness. A lot of people lucky enough to have power looped extension cords under their doors so that people could recharge their phones, the electronic lifelines that let friends and family know that they'd survived. A doctor in New York's East Village put out a sign to offer free medical care. Newark's mayor, Cory Booker, invited citizens over to use a vacant apartment in his building to relax, eat and get warm. The mayor sent a message over Twitter, quote, "Police have reported zero looting or crimes of opportunity in Newark. And ceaseless reports of acts of kindness abound everywhere." In New York, a dozen food trucks fanned out to deliver free dumplings, tacos, cupcakes and slices of thin-crust New York pizza to areas with no power, in which food was spoiled and scarce. David Weber, president of the New York City Food Trucks Association, which organized the efforts, says Queens' Rockaway Peninsula looked especially hard hit.

DAVID WEBER: We were getting reports back from trucks out there that it's just been devastated. People have lost their homes. And, you know, it was really meaningful for them that someone was out there to share what they could with them.

SIMON: They shared about 11,000 meals, and they'll do it again today, even traveling outside the city to reach people. Though David Weber says a lot of people longed for something almost as fundamental as hot food - hot water to wash.

WEBER: I think if someone had a mobile shower truck, they would be even more popular than a mobile food truck.

JOHN BURNETT, BYLINE: This weekend, many people from Maryland to Manhasset will probably witness their own acts of kindness. When the going gets tough, the truly tough are kind. This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Scott Simon. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright National Public Radio.