More community fridges opening across P.E.I. to fight hunger

The rising costof food hasled to a rising need for community fridges on Prince Edward Island, charity officials say.

P.E.I.'s first 24-hour community fridge opened last year in Charlottetown and several more are now plannedthroughout P.E.I.

Although every group runs thingsdifferently, theconcept is designed to be less formal than a food bank people from the community stock the fridges with groceries, and anyone is free to take what they need.

The charity Gifts from the Heartplans to place three communityfridgesin tiny home buildings, with a staff person or volunteer inside to help give out food.

The townof Alberton and the city of Summerside also have plans forcommunity fridges. Back in 2020, the Montague Rotary Library opened a fridge that operated two afternoons a week.

Gifts from the Heart founderBetty Begg-Brooks was dancing with excitement as the first tiny home building for the first fridge was delivered on Friday.

"We want to make sure that everybody gets what they need,"said Begg-Brooks.

"It's just a struggle for everybody."

Several companies volunteered time and labour and the provincial governmentprovided $10,000 for Gifts from the Heart'scommunity fridges. The money comes from a larger community food security fund, which is also helping with other projects and fridges.

"We serve these people with love and kindness. No one will be turned away," said Begg-Brooks.

The first community fridge will be at theGifts from the Heart headquarterson MapleHill Avenue in Charlottetown, whileotherfridges will be in the West Royalty area of Charlottetownand in Stratford.

Community fridge model easier on pride

Mike MacDonald, the executive director of the Upper Room Food Bank in Charlottetown,saysnot everyone can get to a food bank or a soup kitchen.

It's definitely bittersweet, but it's also not surprising to me because food insecurity has just been such a big issue. Sandra Sunil

"The community fridges play an important role for quite a few people," he said.

MacDonald said there hasbeen a 50-per-cent increase in the number of peoplecoming to the food bank this summer, so he knows the need is there. This August, he said, 918 families came in for a basket of food.

"Unfortunately, the need is increasing," MacDonald said.

He said community fridges are easier on people's pride and are more accessible.

"It's extremely hard for people to come through the doors and ask for help," he said, pointing out that those in need can access a community fridge more privately.

Community fridge founder happy to see expansion

The first community fridge on the Island was started by Sandra Sunil and Samel Sunil, as part of theirnon-profitgroup,4Love4Care.

Sandra Sunil said it's great to see others taking the idea to other communities.

"This resource removedall barriers and reducedthe stigmatization of food aid," she, adding that it's a "no questions asked" space.

The fridge gets filled three times a day and Sunil estimatedthat as much as $1,000 worth of food goes intothe fridge each day.

She said it's nice toseeother fridges are being set up.

"It's definitely bittersweet, but it's also not surprising to me because food insecurity has just been such a big issue on the Island for so many years," she said.