The First Community Fridge in Frederick

The City of Frederick announced Frederick, Maryland’s very first community fridge.

The concept is an act of service; it is a refrigerator installed at a communal place for general public access. Visitors are to take food when in need and/or donate food to the fridge. Providing the Frederick community with free access to food prevents any local from going hungry and addresses food security and access, poverty, homelessness, and waste.

The fridge is located and stocked at the Glory Doughnuts restaurant on West Patrick Street in downtown Frederick. Nonperishables, bread, fresh produce and beverages are accepted; foods like meat, eggs, dairy or expired products are discouraged.

Organizers emphasize: “Take what you need, leave what you can.”

About Community Fridge:

“The community fridge project was not organized by any particular individual or organization, but rather a collective of folks seeking to feed the Frederick community and bridge gaps where the current system has failed to do so. Currently, 700,000 Marylanders live in poverty and struggle against hunger – a situation that has certainly worsened since the pandemic. We hope that the community fridge can help alleviate this problem in the immediate Frederick area. Our hope is that we can begin to show our community that we don’t need to rely on federal or local government to keep us safe and fed, and all we need is each other,” says Breezy, a spokesperson for the initiative.

The collective chose the restaurant as its first location because it aligns with the organization’s community-centered ideology and it’s close proximity to Carroll Creek, where many who suffer from food insecurity are located. The location is easily accessible by foot and by car – an intentional effort by the collective.

At this time our focus is on building and sustaining the current fridge and pantry but our hope is that this project can inspire others. – Breezy

The group is willing to aid anyone interested in starting their own community fridge and believes this effort will spark necessary change.

If you’re in need of food essentials or would like to donate food items, you can do so at 162 West Patrick Street Frederick, MD 21701. Follow the Community Fridge here!

Photo Credit: @glory_doughnuts