Shaida Gray: Taking care of the community
July 14, 2025
Spectrum News NY1
Pat Kiernan and Chelsea Katz
Filling a pantry and community fridge in Bedford Park fills Shaida Gray’s heart.
“I feel like I’m doing an effort, and helping the people that need my help,” Gray said. “They don’t have to pay for it, or they don’t have to struggle.”
Shaida Gray, a person served by S:US, at the Valentine Avenue community fridge in the Bronx.
Gray is the inspiration behind the Bedford Park fridge and four other fridges in the Bronx and Brooklyn. Each is operated by Services for the UnderServed, or S:US.
What You Need To Know
- Shaida Gray was the driving force behind five community fridges in the Bronx and Brooklyn
- The fridges and pantries feed more than 200 people per week
- Gray worked with the staff at Services for the UnderServed to get the spaces up and running
The organization runs group homes and day habilitation programs for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and other communities in need.
“A disability is literally nothing but a medical diagnosis,” said Sharonda Johnson, a senior residential habilitation specialist at S:US. “There’s so much more about the person and their personality that makes them who they are.”
Gray lives in one of S:US’ supportive homes. Five years ago, she noticed all of the hungry people in her community.
“I see a lot of people on the street that don’t eat, have ripped clothes, not going to, no place to lay their head, so I was trying to do a good deed,” she said.
Gray convinced the team at S:US to step up. They organized a food drive that fall, and then opened community fridges and neighborhood pantries in 2022.
Gray and her peers now maintain the fridges every week.
Shaida Gray (center in orange) with staff and people served by S:US.
“I’m happy that I really made this idea,” Gray said. “Now I know people can eat. I don’t have to worry no more.”
“People often think that people that are differently abled, are unable to do these kinds of things,” Johnson added. “And I think that Shaida and that group is really breaking the mold for that.”
Meanwhile, Gray is growing both personally and professionally. She’ll move into an independent living program, with minimal support, next month. And she will start working as a cashier at a local CVS.
“I’m so proud of myself, have become a grown and independent woman and just doing what I gotta do,” she said.
For nourishing her community and her future, Shaida Gray is our New Yorker of the Week.
Watch the video and read the original article here.
