Non-Profit Provides Free Gasoline To Storm-Hit Far Rockaway Residents

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A line of cars stretched back several blocks in storm-ravaged Far Rockaway. There was also a second line closer in with people on foot.

What were they waiting for?

Free gas being given away give gallons at a time.

1010 WINS' Al Jones Reports

With little electricity and no gas stations operating in the neighborhood, word of mouth brought many to O'Donohue Park, 1010 WINS' Al Jones reported.

The free gas distributed by the non-profit Fuel Relief Fund, which touts its stated goal as providing "fuel resources to those in need."

Brian Runsted, who is with the Fuel Relief Fund was at the front of the Far Rockaway lines on Monday, pumping the free gas out of an 8,800 gallon tanker truck.

"I volunteered myself. I left last Tuesday from southern California with a full load. We've distributed over 36,000 gallons of gasoline," he told 1010 WINS' Jones.

The Fuel Relief Fund said it has assisted in relief around the country and even internationally, providing fuel to those affected by Hurricane Katrina and Rita in 2005 as well as in the aftermath of Haiti's devastating earthquake in 2010. The organization said it also provided home heating oil to victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in 2011.

Many who came to get the free fuel were happy to get the help they needed.

"Thank God for that. We need it, definitely," one woman said.

Kevin Scott was grateful to have his two plastic cans filled, giving him enough to run his generator for yet another day.

"For right now, we giving thanks we got some gas right now," he said.

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