The number of community fridges in Philadelphia is set to soon increase by one as a new one will soon open in Fox Chase, writes Leo Miranda for WHYY.
The new community fridge is scheduled to be open outside Memorial Presbyterian Church. It will mark the first community fridge in Northeast Philadelphia.
Northeast Community Fridge is the group spearheading the new Fox Chase fridge. The group is currently in the process of fundraising and raising awareness for the effort.
Community fridges have been a growing concept throughout the city since the peak of the pandemic to help address food insecurity.
They offer free, around-the-clock access to fresh groceries to those who need them.
Liz Aubry, a volunteer with the organization, calls the soon-to-open fridge “an element of community care.”
Beyond the fact that Northeast Philadelphia doesn’t have any community fridges, the community organizations and church that operate pantries often have long waitlists or don’t distribute everyday.
According to Feeding America, nearly 250,000 Philadelphians are facing food insecurity.
The government recently cut $1 billion in nationwide funding that would allow schools and food banks to feed their community. Pennsylvania stands to lose $13 million in food assistance funds as a result.
Read more about the pending arrival of a new community fridge in Fox Chase at WHYY.
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