A Regina woman is spearheading a new way to help make sure Regina’s needy can feed their families.
The Regina Community Free Fridge is now open and available to residents. According to a media release, the fridge is meant to help people facing “nutritional insecurity” by providing around-the-clock access to free, healthy food.
“We have people in Regina that are in need of accessible and nutritious food for themselves and their family,” Danielle Froh said in the media release issued Wednesday. “This Community Fridge is a mutual aid space; a community organization, where people take responsibility in caring for one another, by redistributing resources and power.
“Those in need can come any day, any hour, to take some extra produce, beverages and meals,” added Froh.
Froh was inspired by similar services in other Canadian cities.
She says the site’s fridge, freezer and pantry are stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables, dry goods, sealed non-alcoholic beverages, snacks and granola bars. The fridge will also accept breads and pastries, fresh eggs, and dairy products as long as they are within a clearly marked best-before date. Frozen meals with no raw meat or seafood will also be stored.
She is also hoping to see more donations from local businesses, community organizations and members of the public. Regina and District Chamber of Commerce CEO John Hopkins, who has declared his support for the initiative, has no doubt they will come through.
“Regina has always been a caring community,” said Hopkins. “This example of neighbours helping neighbours is what makes our city such an amazing place to live.”
The release notes the community came together to make the Community Fridge a reality. The Leenan Group of Companies, Leenan Construction, Daly Construction, Optimum Flooring, Everflow, Lithium Electric, and Fries Tallman are among the local companies that donated time, labour and materials to the project.
The Regina Community Free Fridge is located at 3037 Dewdney Ave., behind the Regina Family Pharmacy.