YORKTON - Yorkton now has a ‘Community Fridge’.
The fridge, located in the parking lot of SIGN on Broadway, has been in operation for a few weeks, but was officially launched Wednesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The Community Fridge is not a SIGN program, but the group appreciates being able to house the fridge on the SIGN parking lot.
While located at SIGN, it is a project initiated and maintained by a group of community volunteers who want to provide a grassroots response to food insecurity in Yorkton.
“It’s take what you need. Give what you can,” said spokesperson Kelsey Naphouthai.
Unlike traditional food banks or pantries, everyone is encouraged to put food in and take food out without limit. Use of the Fridge is not monitored, and who takes food and how much is not tracked, which helps remove any stigma from its use. Free food is available to anyone who needs it.
Naphouthai said the project is all about everyone being equal and all “working shoulder-to-shoulder . . . Looking out for one another.”
The enclosed space housing the fridge also includes shelves for dry goods and other family needs.
Food in community fridges is primarily donated by individuals, food rescue organizations, and businesses like grocery stores. Individuals, organizations and businesses wishing to donate to the Community Fridge may do so anytime by placing the donated items in the fridge, freezer, or on the shelves.
The area is open to anyone 24 hours a day, every day, for both those needing food supplies and those wishing to make donations.
Like other community fridges which have sprung up across the country and in the US, the Yorkton Community Fridge is a mutual aid project operated entirely by volunteers who encourage food to be shared within the community, noted a release.
For safety reasons, only the following are acceptable donations:
* Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables
* Dry goods
* Canned foods
* Dairy and eggs
* Store-bought bread products
* Hygiene products
* Diapers/baby wipes/formula
* Cleaning products
* Prepared meals and cooked meat made in a licensed kitchen by someone with a Food Safe certificate and labelled with facility name, date, and ingredients.
Also for safety reasons, the Community Fridge cannot accept the following:
* Home canning
* Homemade food
* Raw meat and seafood (including both fresh and frozen)
* Dented, damaged or opened packages
* Expired or mouldy foods
* Alcohol
* Medications
* Toys, clothing and housewares
The fridge location will be visited twice per day for cleaning and to ensure only allowed items are included.
The mutual aid volunteer group looking after the Community Fridge welcomes volunteers who want to assist with various jobs related to the project.
Those interested in volunteering, donating, using the Fridge and who have questions may contact communityfridgeyorkton@gmail.com, or through social media @yorktoncommunityfridge.
