NEW YORK -- Hundreds of people lined up in New York City as rapper Cardi B handed out free winter coats. The Bronx-born rapper met with residents and fans on Thursday evening at the Marlboro Houses in Brooklyn during brisk fall weather.

The 26-year-old also was given balloons and a cake to celebrate her recent birthday. Cardi B said she cares a lot about kids and the community and feels it's important to set a good example.

"Sometimes people think that we just do the messed up things but we really… care for the kids and our community and everything," she said.

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Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, later got a gift of her own in the form of a symbolic key to the Marlboro Houses, CBS New York reported.

On Oct. 1, she got a summons in connection with a melee at a New York strip club. Her lawyer says the star didn't cause any harm.

About three weeks earlier, Cardi B and Nicki Minaj were involved in an altercation at a New York Fashion Week party.