Omar Blocker was at his job in the Flagship in Atlantic City when he heard people in the lobby saying they were hungry.
That’s when he found out the Inlet resort was hosting about 63 of those residents displaced in
the Jeffries Tower fire Jan. 7.
“I felt bad for the people after talking to them one by one, sitting in our nice lounge at Flagship,” said Blocker, who drives the Flagship’s shuttle bus. “I told them I would make sure they would get fed by me until they leave.”
His original promise was once a week, but in their third week at the resort, it’s been more often than that.
He’s had some help along they way. Gilchrist’s donated some food.
And Blocker’s brother, Charles Cottman, donated his time and some food from his restaurant, YanNahSolai's Soul Food in Pleasantville.
Atiya Rex from Atlantic City also donated time and food, as did Blocker's grandmother, Darlene Bey Blocker.
Bey Blocker has been his inspiration for helping people, Blocker said.
He said he hasn’t been able to get to the other displaced residents staying elsewhere in the city, but has put out a challenge to area businesses as Omar the Great — his nickname. So far, he hasn’t had any responses.
“If I had a full force I would have been at all hotel and casinos where they are placed right now,” he said. “I only can do so much because I have my own family to feed as well.”
Anyone who wants to help can message Blocker on Facebook
here.
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