(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic put unprecedented pressure on food pantries and other non-profits across the country. It also accelerated the efforts to help those who have a hard time locating their next meal.
In Chicago, The Love Fridge is a “mutual aid” network that has seeded dozens of community refrigerators across Chicago since last summer.
The community fridge movement had been taking root in several cities around the world, but it started to blossom as food insecurity ballooned during the COVID crisis.
Love Fridge outreach coordinator Eric Von Haynes said his organization works on the infrastructure — the rest is up to donors.
"We construct the sites, bring fridges, and help do maintenance,” he said.
Once up and running, everyone is welcome to give or take. Von Haynes said the movement is similar to the Little Free Library program.
People are welcome to host fridges of their own. The Love Fridge sites in Chicago stretch from Rogers Park to the Chicago/Indiana border on the southeast side.
"We're just one link in a chain. I'm proud of what we have created. But there's a lot of work that can be done and needs to be done," Von Haynes said.
The big lesson he has learned from The Love Fridge is that there really is enough food to go around, he said.
"There's more food that goes to waste than should ever happen in this country," Von Haynes said.
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