Below is a full report of the impact the community fridge has had since it's launch in November! We are so proud of our community and how they've stepped up to reduce waste and improve access to fresh foods!
We launched our first fridge just before the new year and it has been so well received! The whole community is benefiting from this 24/7 source of fresh healthy food!
We’ve filled it at least 5 times and the community is starting to take notice and add their own items as well!
The kids had so much fun helping launch this fridge and one even said she wants to be involved in future fridges! They had great ideas including handing out fliers and having goody bags for people who donate food!
Stay tuned, because we are not done serving the Columbus area! More fridges to come!
I’m n the mean time we need volunteers and donations! Please, visit our link tree to inquire about either of these options to help with the fridge 😄
https://linktr.ee/food4allcbus?fbclid=PAAaYfrqV0y3-LkOUMVRAZqPGQUirZQ0cHLvXKIMxZqMokfOtiZAQV04xGwIg_aem_AYDW4a6bMTkbuK2txRjfehxzx6EFW4e7gPu_cDuNJ4_bwxR92ploPnn0m-Q_aeX7bcY
Great news!! We are planning a grand opening for mid December.
We are working on getting the shelter for the fridge built and can’t wait for the kiddos to decorate it!
We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to make sure we do this right and so that this fridge can be around for a long time!
We will post details about the ribbon cutting soon!
Food 4 All CBUS Action plan
Timeline:
Estimated fridge install date: August 19th
How often will your team meet? monthly zoom calls after the fridges are placed.
Budget: Key items we need to get our project running:
2-3 refrigerators
Stands to keep them off of the ground and/or sheds/shelters
Gallon sized zip lock bags
Large trash can with secure lid
Large garbage bags
Thermometer x2 for each fridge
Food/Drinks
Diatomaceous Earth
Cleaning solutions
Paper towels
Printing costs
Impact: The communities we are placing these fridges in have a high population of shelterless and/or food insecure people. Having consistent access to fresh foods will keep these communities fed and healthy.
Our goals are to make sure that every home within walking distance of one of our fridges has food to eat for every meal/snack and never has to wonder where their next meal willl come from again. We’re hoping to have at least 4 kids involved, and several local businesses in order to help educate our community about the need for mutual aid alone with our core 4 leaders. We will also be recruiting as needed volunteers totalling roughly 12-20 people working on this project.
According to a 2020 annual report by the Columbus Department of Public Health, 60% of the Columbus Black community is food insecure and 25% of its white community is food insecure. We hope to reduce that as much as possible by putting fresh food right in the neighborhoods of the most vulnerable.
Location: We have permission to use a private residence as well as an organization called Riverview International Center (RIC). We have all necessary permission and permits to carry out our project at the chosen locations.
Kid’s involvement: Our goal is to find at least 4 kids who would like to be involved in this project, with one child as the leader. We have planned a meeting with them on July 23rd to get their ideas and to decide on a leader.
The kids will be involved in decision making and hands-on efforts.
We would like this to be a chance for the kids to be able to have their voices heard, to learn about what leadership and working as a team looks like and to learn more about mutual aid and why it is so important.
