By the community, for the community. Help fill the fridge!
Do you find yourself throwing away uneaten food from your refigerator each week? Does your business have food headed for the trash? Are you looking for ways to help the community? Donate to a community fridge!
Throughout Philadelphia there are 14 community refrigerators! You might be wondering... "what is a community refrigerator?" These refrigerators are volunteer ran operations that help provide free food to those in need while also lowering food waste.
Simply take what you need, and leave what you can!
Facts about hunger in America:
Even in the world’s greatest food-producing nation, children and adults face hunger in every county across America. [1]
80% of Food Stamp recipients are EMPLOYED. Benefits are equal to $3/day per person
Before the coronavirus pandemic, more than 35 million people struggled with hunger in the United States, including more than 10 million children. [2]
A household that is food insecure has limited or uncertain access to enough food to support a healthy life.
Children are more likely to face food insecurity than any other group in the United States.
1 in every 6 American children do not know when their next meal is coming from.
Due to the pandemic more than 18 million children (nearly 1 in 4), are projected to experience food insecurity this year. [3]
Where can you find a community refrigerator:
Interested in locating a community fridge near you? Here's where you can find some:
635 W Girard Ave Philadelphia PA (Northern Liberties at Ambassador)
2400 Coral Street Philadelphia PA (Kensington at Franny Lou’s Porch)
915 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia PA (Northern Liberties at Triple Bottom Brewing)
2821 W Girard Ave Philadelphia PA (Brewerytown at SPOT Burgers)
312 N 39th Street Philadelphia PA (University City)
1255 E Palmer Street Philadelphia PA (Fishtown at Castellinos)
1180 Ludlow Street Philadelphia PA (Center City at Canopy Hotel)
EAST FALLS COMING SOON!
How you can get involved:
Did you know 80 billion pounds of food is thrown away every year in America! That’s an average of $1,600 per family. Instead of throwing away your food, consider donating it! These community refrigerators take food donations from our homes, grocery stores, and restaurants to lessen food waste.
Here is a list of items you can bring to a local fridge:
Produce
Non perishables (cans, pasta, etc.) *not accepted at 52nd Street Fridge
Breads
Unopened Dairy Products
Eggs
Condiments
Grocery Bags
Items they do not accept:
Raw meat
Opened containers
Expired food
Unlabeled products
Alcohol
Leftovers
Can’t make it over to a refrigerator but still want to donate? Monetary donations are extremely valuable to keeping these community refrigerators on and running! More information on sending money can be found on their social media pages:
Mama-Tee Fridge
East Falls Community Fridge
Let's keep this going and create a trend that helps the community in many ways!
Support: Your donation will help families and individuals struggling with food insecurity.
Reduce: Donations will minimize unwanted food waste in Philadelphia.
Amplify: If you can't donate, spread the word of these projects to others that might want to get involved!
Want to see what it's all about? Watch as I go check out a few of our community refrigerators and donate to each of them!
Resources: